National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has turned down a request from Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto to retract his signature from a motion supporting the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Addressing Members of Parliament during the debate on the impeachment motion, Wetang’ula confirmed receiving a letter from Wandeto, which expressed his intention to withdraw his signature. However, Wetang’ula firmly stated that the Standing Orders do not permit such a retraction.

Standing Orders Prevent Withdrawal

“I received a letter from Geoffrey Wandeto purporting to withdraw his signature. I want to invite the honorable members to read the Standing Orders that are very clear. Once you append your signature to a Special Motion, you have crossed the rubicon, and you cannot withdraw that signature,” Wetang’ula stated.

In this context, “crossing the rubicon” refers to a point of no return, meaning that once an MP signs a Special Motion, their commitment is irreversible.

Impeachment Motion Gains Significant Support

The motion to impeach the Deputy President was introduced by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse last week. The motion has gained substantial backing, with 291 out of the 345 Members of the National Assembly signing in favor of it.

With over 80% of the House supporting the motion, the MPs far exceeded the required threshold of 117 members by an additional 174 signatures, making the motion’s tabling a historic event.

Vacant Seats in the National Assembly

The National Assembly currently has 345 active members, just four short of its full capacity of 349. The Banisa, Magarini, and Ugunja constituencies remain vacant, while the ODM nomination slot, previously held by Treasury CS John Mbadi, has yet to be filled.