Wiper Democratic Movement leader Kalonzo Musyoka has vowed to oppose an impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In a post shared on his official X account on Thursday, September 26, 2024, shortly after attending a memorial service for the victims of the Hillside Endarasha Academy fire tragedy, Kalonzo said the planned impeachment was part of a government strategy to divert attention from key issues facing the country.

He also criticized President William Ruto, who is attending the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, for not consoling the families of the 21 pupils who died in the tragic school fire.

Kalonzo further claimed that the government’s priorities were misplaced, allowing the President’s allies to focus on impeachment instead of addressing the issue of rising school fires.

Moreover, Kalonzo accused President Ruto of capturing the opposition instead of addressing the issues facing the country.

“It is very unfortunate that instead of consoling the families of the 21 precious angels who perished in the tragic Hillside Endarasha Academy fire, Ruto is busy racking up frequent flier miles. Instead of directing his efforts towards strengthening the schools’ safety system to ensure that such a tragedy does not happen again, Ruto has allowed his henchmen to distract the country with an Impeachment Motion against his Deputy Assistant,” Kalonzo stated.

“Instead of addressing the Adani heist, and those behind the blatant attempt to take control of key security and strategic infrastructure, Ruto’s priority is to capture the Opposition. As the Government in Waiting, we will not allow these distractions including an Impeachment Motion against the Deputy President to pass unopposed,” he added.

Kalonzo’s statement comes shortly after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged that there is a plot to implicate his staff and allies in the June 25 protests, during which Parliament was invaded. Gachagua has labeled the scheme as a baseless attempt to tarnish their reputations and lay the groundwork for his impending impeachment.

“This evil scheme is to associate them with violent demonstrations that took place in late June, in a futile attempt to soil my name and hopefully create grounds for the mooted impeachment proceedings against me. Kenyans are intelligent people,” Gachagua stated.

“They know what factors made Kenyans take to the streets. Kenyans also know what the real problems in Kenya are. They surely know Rigathi is not among them. Let our agencies remain professional, follow the rule of law and keep off politics.”