Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse found himself under intense scrutiny once again on Saturday, October 19, despite his recent victory against impeached Vice President Ligati Gachagua.
This time, Mr Mutuse has come under sharp criticism from former Chief Justice Willie Mutunga, who boldly suggested that he should be stripped of his parliamentary degree.
The former CJ’s comments were prompted by a cartoon published in a local daily that showed Mr Mutuse being torn to shreds by Mr Gachagua’s lawyer Elisha Ongoya earlier this week. The commentary post read, “Mutuse was obsessed with his newfound ‘stardom’… until he met Ongoya, who instantly turned him into a weasel.”
In response, Mutunga chided him with a subtle jab: I doubt. Mutuse’s comment is on point. They should remember Mutuse’s law degree and KSL diploma. ”
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
photograph
Mwengi Mutuse
The big picture: Mr. Mutuse filed an impeachment motion against Mr. Gachagua in parliament in early October with 11 charges of damage, but thanks to a thorough cross-examination by the legal team of the ousted Democratic Progressive Party, the motion was filed on October 16. By Wednesday I was sweating.
Ongoya, in particular, was keen to show off his legal skills by deftly debunking the allegations against Gachagua at the expense of a stunned Mutuse, whose responses were at times short and unconvincing.
In one instance, impeachment proponents struggled to explain the allegations surrounding the Vipingo Beach Resort, a central asset in the impeachment case.
But Mr Mutuse made a commendable comeback during Thursday’s hearing, coming up with plausible answers to lingering questions about his claims. Mr Gachagua was ultimately impeached in Mr Mutuse’s absence, so he ultimately had the last laugh. It was the first time since the impeachment began. It was introduced in the 2010 Constitution.
What’s next for Gachagua? His impeachment had a ripple effect, with at least 108 members of his office being directed to take mandatory leave.
The High Court then halted the appointment of a new vice president, with Justice Chacha Mwita acting swiftly on an application filed by his lawyer, Senior Counsel Paul Muite, challenging the impeachment process.
Following this move, the appointment of a new vice president to replace Gachagua will not take place until October 24.
Meanwhile, Gachagua’s Mount Kenya rival Kisule Kindiki was appointed by President William Ruto as the new vice president, and the appointment was approved by Parliament.
Vice President Ligati Gachagua speaks from his home in Karen on Monday, October 7, 2024. Photo/Rigachi Gachagua.
