TIFA poll shows 37% of Kenyans expect Kindiki Kithure to replace Gachagua if he is impeached
Kenyan researcher TIFA has said that 41% of Kenyans support the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua according to their recent survey.
In their report, TIFA said that 38% of Kenyans oppose the impeachment with a majority of them hailing from the Mt. Kenya region, Gachagua's backyard.
The research shows that 69% of Kenyans in Mt. Kenya oppose the impeachment, 20% support it while 47% support the move in other regions compared to 28% who are against it.
Most of the respondents supporting Gachagua's ouster said that his perceived discriminatory attitude and speech in favour of his region is why they want him removed from office.
Others believed that poor performance and bad leadership should be the reason behind his ouster, 13% said that it should be an abuse of office, 12% said it should be his disagreements with President William Ruto while 2% said it should be disagreements with UDA leaders.
Those opposing the impeachment (36%) said that Gachagua is being attacked unfairly while 18% said that he is a good leader and 7% argued that he should be impeached with the President.
Six percent believe that Gachagua should be pardoned while 4% said that no particular reason has been given for his impeachment and 4% noted that his removal will create instability in the nation.
TIFA now says that most respondents expect Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki to fill the vacancy if Gachagua is impeached with the number considerably higher among the residents of the Mt. Kenya region.
The researcher said that 58% of those in Mt. Kenya expect Kindiki to replace Gachagua while 30% hail from other regions.
Five percent from Mt. Kenya expect Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi to fill Gachagua's position, another 5% expect Ndindi Nyoro to be the next DP.
Other candidates fronted to be potential DP replacements include Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga.
TIFA says the poll was conducted between October 1 and 4, 2024 using a sample size of 1,892 Kenyans.
The embattled DP Gachagua is set to defend himself before the National Assembly and the courts starting tomorrow.
He is facing 10 charges including gross misconduct, violation of the Constitution, undermining the presidency, and corruption among others.
