Public participation nationwide exercise across all 290 constituencies where Kenyans were given a platform to voice their opinions on the high-stakes impeachment which was initiated by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
The process has been conducted at designated centers in the 47 counties countrywide.
Previously, a last-minute legal challenge filed in court aiming to halt the proceedings was dismissed on Wednesday, clearing the path for public consultations.
Public Participation at Bomas ended amid Controversies where blows and kicks were witnessed especially when Morara Kebaso was guaranteed his entry to the social hall to air his views.
Public participation at Bomas in Nairobi officially concluded at around mid-day, with hundreds turning up to voice their opinions on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment.
Members of parliament and MCAs who sought anonymity raised concerns about the abrupt dismissal of the exercise at the Bomas of Kenya where there have been critics questioning whether Parliament upheld the standard for genuine, meaningful public participation.
Clashes Break Out in Bomas as Participation Turns Violent as tensions flared as public participation at Bomas spiraled into disorder. Supporters and detractors of both parties clashed violently, chanting rival slogans of “Ruto must go” and “Gachagua must go.”
Punches and kicks were thrown, chairs were hurled at each other, and confusion reigned as the two sides descended into a brawl.
Kebaso Morara, the lawyer turned activist was at the center of the chaos with goons attacking the political figurehead who is quickly gaining popularity.
The chaos erupted after activist lawyer Morara Kebaso arrived with a group of youths, prompting a section of attendees to react violently.
Security personnel had to swiftly intervene, ejecting Morara and restoring a fragile order. The exercise continued, though the atmosphere remained volatile.
Later after the adjournment of the exercise, the Morara Kebaso contingent returned to Bomas of Kenya which forced several MPs to free the area and end the exercise within the planned schedule.
MPs led by Tom Kajwang, TJ, and Dagoreti South Mp John Kiarie, KJ were seen fleeing the area and sneaking out of the area securing their safety from the rowdy crowd.
Participants expressed their views saying, ‘’ If Gachagua is to go, let William Ruto also go.’’
They added their frustrations saying it was an exercise of time wasting for ending the exercise prematurely.
Charles Omondi said. ‘’What was the essence of this exercise if you decided to waste our time and adjourn the planned national event to chaos, I’m saddened with the whole plans of today, it’s a sad day for this country.’’
In Nakuru, chaos erupted during the public participation exercise as residents took to the streets, rejecting the process, and calling it fraudulent.
Chanting “No Gachagua, no Ruto,” the protestors disrupted the ASK showgrounds participation event, accusing organizers of distributing fake documents.
The exercise was abruptly halted as police officers on-site fled the scene.
In other areas, Nyahururu residents blocked a major highway in protest of the impeachment process, lighting bonfires and barricading roads leading to Nyeri town. “No Rigathi, no Ruto,” echoed through the streets as protestors expressed their unwavering support for Gachagua. The residents accused the National Assembly of attempting to destabilize the region’s political leadership. Although police officers intervened to clear the roads, the defiant residents vowed to continue their demonstrations, demanding the public participation exercise be halted.
In Machakos, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua took a bold stance in Machakos, leading the public participation against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua with the rallying cry, “Gachagua must go!”
Mutua a sharp critique of the current leadership to Gachagua “We are not happy. Since President William Ruto took office, Ukambani has been left behind. All development has been tied to shareholder politics,” Mutua declared.
