On Wednesday, November 13, residents of Mathira Constituency began collecting signatures to initiate the recall of their Member of Parliament, Eric Wamumbi, after he supported the recent impeachment motion against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The petition drive started in Karatina town, where locals gathered with identification cards to sign in favor of the recall. Many in Mathira, Gachagua’s hometown, view Wamumbi’s support for the impeachment as a betrayal.

Residents expressed their frustration, stating they are prepared to push forward with the recall once the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is fully reconstituted.

“Our MP has failed us, both in development and by betraying Gachagua, our own,” remarked a local resident involved in the petition. The community also voiced that Wamumbi’s actions went against their will.

Mathira, a stronghold of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the 2022 elections, is home to over 104,000 voters, most of whom backed the UDA party. Following Gachagua’s impeachment, MPs from the Mt. Kenya region have faced backlash from their constituents, who feel let down by their representatives.

Recently, Nyeri Town MP Duncan Maina faced similar backlash when matatu operators in Nyeri heckled him at Lower Bus Park on November 11, criticizing his support for Gachagua’s removal. Maina was among the 244 MPs who voted in favor of the impeachment.

Since his ouster, Gachagua has largely kept a low profile, making few appearances outside of church services, where he urges his supporters to remain calm.