Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has disclosed that he was offered Sh10 million to support the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua but turned down the offer.
In a Citizen TV interview on Thursday, Maanzo said the bribe came with strict conditions: accepting the money meant voting in favour of Gachagua's removal, and failure to comply would have serious consequences for his safety.
"I was told if I took the money and voted 'No' or tried to evade the vote, I wouldn't make it home," Maanzo explained, adding that he chose to vote against the motion.
When pressed about the identities of those behind the alleged bribery attempt, Maanzo declined to name them, citing threats to his life and security concerns. He did confirm the individuals were seasoned political players but not fellow legislators.
"In politics, your life is permanently threatened," he said, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and his decision not to report the incident to authorities.
Background to the Impeachment
The impeachment motion against Gachagua was initiated on October 1, 2024, by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, citing 11 charges ranging from gross constitutional violations to promoting divisive politics.
Following parliamentary procedures, the National Assembly approved the motion on October 8, and on October 17, the Senate upheld five of the charges, marking the first-ever impeachment of a Deputy President in Kenya.
The upheld charges included undermining the judiciary's independence, violating the National Cohesion and Integration Act, and gross misconduct related to public criticism of the National Intelligence Service.
