‘Late N’geno Was Intimidated to Impeach Me’ — Gachagua Claims
Leader of the Democracy of the Citizens Party (DCP) Rigathi Gachagua has made fresh allegations surrounding his 2024 impeachment, claiming that the late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno was intimidated into supporting the motion that led to his removal from office.
Speaking during a church service at AIPCA Nyandarua North Diocese in Nyandarua County on March 1, Gachagua alleged that Ng’eno approached him under distress, carrying what he described as threatening messages linked to President William Ruto.
“He came to see me and showed me messages that William Ruto had sent him, threatening him that if he didn’t impeach me, he would face dire consequences, and he was crying. He came at 2 a.m. in the morning,” Gachagua claimed, describing what he termed as pressure exerted on lawmakers during the impeachment process.
According to Gachagua, the late MP appeared visibly shaken and fearful for his safety. He said he advised Ng’eno to proceed with signing the impeachment motion, arguing that resistance would not have changed the outcome and could have put the legislator and his family at risk.
“I listened to him, and I told him Ruto has the numbers; he has bought everybody. Even if you don’t sign that impeachment, it will change nothing. Instead of endangering your life and your family, just go ahead and sign,” he stated, adding that the MP eventually signed the motion “with a lot of tears.”
Ng’eno was among 281 members of the National Assembly who voted to impeach Gachagua on October 8, 2024. The Senate of Kenya later upheld the charges, finding Gachagua guilty on multiple counts, including gross violation of the Constitution, corruption, and insubordination, leading to his removal from office on October 17, 2024.
In his latest remarks, Gachagua further alleged that state agencies were involved in monitoring his movements during the period leading up to the impeachment. He claimed that his hotel room in Kisumu had been bugged by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and that conversations between him and Ng’eno were recorded and relayed to senior government officials.
He also alleged that other lawmakers faced similar pressure, citing Nyari MP Muhammad Ali as among those who were allegedly threatened. According to Gachagua, the MP received messages while the president was on an official trip abroad.
Gachagua said he remained in contact with Ng’eno even after his impeachment, noting that they had spoken shortly before the legislator’s death. He claimed that Ng’eno had urged him to visit Bomet and had expressed concern over political developments at the time.
Ng’eno died on February 28 after a private helicopter, registration 5Y-DSB, crashed in the Chepkieb area of Mosop in Nandi County, killing all six people on board. The cause of the crash has not yet been officially established.
In light of the incident, Gachagua called for an independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. “No national body should investigate this matter; we need international agencies like the FBI and other relevant bodies to ensure credibility,” he said.
The allegations made by the former deputy president have not been independently verified, and there has been no immediate response from the presidency or the agencies mentioned.
Political analysts note that the claims are likely to intensify debate over the integrity of the impeachment process and raise fresh questions about political accountability and the role of state institutions.
As investigations into the helicopter crash continue, attention is expected to remain on both the circumstances of Ng’eno’s death and the broader claims raised by Gachagua, which could have significant implications for Kenya’s political landscape.
ALSO READ: Social Health Authority Approves 8 Foreign Hospitals for Kenyans Seeking Overseas Treatment
‘Late N’geno Was Intimidated to Impeach Me’ — Gachagua Claims
