Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has accused Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna of playing a key part in the 2024 impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The UDA senator made the claims on January 5, 2026, saying Sifuna did more than just vote for the removal. Cherargei said the ODM secretary general debated the motion and lobbied other senators to support it.
Cherargei pointed to official Senate records, known as the Hansard, to back his statements. Those documents show how senators spoke and voted during the process. According to him, the records prove Sifuna took an active stand against Gachagua at the time.
The impeachment happened in October 2024. The National Assembly started it with a motion that passed easily. Then the Senate took over, upholding several charges against Gachagua. He lost his position, and Professor Kithure Kindiki stepped in as the new deputy president after Senate approval and swearing-in.
Sifuna, as an ODM senator, joined others from the opposition in voting yes on the impeachment. ODM leaders had mixed views early on, but many ended up supporting the process. Raila Odinga, the party head, stayed neutral publicly, but senators like Sifuna spoke in favour during debates.
Cherargei called Sifuna’s actions inconsistent. He said the Nairobi senator now appears closer to Gachagua in some public settings, which raises questions. Recent events, like funerals in Mt Kenya, brought the two together, leading to talk of shifting alliances.
No immediate comment came from Sifuna on these latest accusations. His office has not put out a statement yet. In past interviews, he defended his vote as based on the evidence presented in the Senate.
Political watchers see this as part of wider tensions. Gachagua has criticised the government since leaving office. He launched his own party and often speaks at regional events. UDA leaders push back, saying the impeachment followed due process.
The Senate vote split along party lines at times, but enough opposition members joined the majority to pass it. Records are public, so anyone can check speeches and tallies from those sessions.
Cherargei used the claims to question trust in some opposition figures. He said actions in Parliament matter more than later statements. The post got shares online, with supporters on both sides weighing in.
Kenyan politics often revisits past votes as alliances change. With 2027 elections approaching, old decisions come up again in debates.
Gachagua keeps a strong following in parts of central Kenya. His removal remains a sore point for many there. Opposition figures who backed it face reminders now and then.
For Sifuna, known for sharp comments on governance, this adds to ongoing public scrutiny. He balances party roles with Senate duties.
The story shows how records from 2024 still shape talks today. No new probes have started over the impeachment itself. As the year begins, such exchanges highlight divisions that linger. Leaders on all sides navigate carefully.
