Several human rights organisations have demanded an independent investigation into allegations that Members of Parliament were bribed to sway their votes during the impeachment proceedings of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
At a press briefing held at the Muhuri Legal Aid Clinic in Mombasa, groups including HAKI Africa, Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), She Rises, and InformAction Kenya called on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and Parliament to conduct an impartial inquiry into the matter.
The call follows public statements by political figures such as Junet Mohamed, Richard Onyonka, Dan Maanzo, and Karungo Thang'wa, who have alleged that MPs received monetary inducements to influence their votes during the impeachment process.
The organisations emphasized:
- These allegations are too serious to be dismissed as political rhetoric.
- Those making the claims should provide formal statements and any supporting evidence to investigative agencies.
- Political leaders must avoid unsubstantiated accusations that could damage public trust in Parliament.
The groups stressed the importance of accountability and transparency, urging that parliamentary decisions be guided by constitutional principles rather than financial incentives. They called on the relevant authorities to act decisively and without bias to restore public confidence in Kenya's democratic institutions.
