Why President Ruto Cannot Be Impeached by Parliament, According to Babu Owino

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino, has ruled out the possibility of tabling an impeachment motion against President William Ruto.

Taking to his official X account, the MP responded to a Kenyan who was criticizing him for actively campaigning against Ruto, yet as an MP, he can initiate the process of his removal.

“I usually see Babu Owino at protests, which makes me wonder, if he really wants Ruto to go, why doesn’t he table an impeachment motion against him in Parliament?” a Kenyan asked on X.

In a quick response, the MP defended himself for not having tabled such a motion, arguing that 90 per cent of MPs in Parliament are compromised, and that would mean that the motion would fail.

“Will your father support it in parliament? I don’t know failure coz 90% of MPs are compromised,” Babu Owino responded.

The calls for the impeachment of President Ruto emerged after People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua urged MPs to initiate one.

She claimed it would "offer a chance to ventilate and sensitize Kenyans and the world of what is going on."

“Parliament can redeem itself, and even the few who speak for the people can initiate impeachment against the president,” Karua said.

An MP may initiate impeachment based on gross violation of the Constitution or any other law. The motion must be supported by at least one-third of all MPs.

In 2015, opposition MPs made headlines when around 105 MPs signed a motion to impeach then-President Uhuru Kenyatta over alleged constitutional violations.

 The motion did not yield any results, and thus no president has ever been impeached.

The Embakasi East legislator is among the few politicians who join the Kenyan youths during their protests.

During the June 25 commemorative protests, Babu Owino joined Gen Z youths at the Nairobi CBD, where he was warmly and heroically welcomed.

Owino has also been on the front line championing for better leadership, condemning the recent police brutality cases that have been on the rise in the country.