NAIROBI, Kenya – Just before a significant Senate impeachment vote, Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, fell unwell on Thursday night. His attorney, Paul Muite, made this revelation as Gachagua prepared to address various accusations hurled by the National Assembly.
The Senate’s hush-hush atmosphere was instantly interrupted when Speaker Amason Kingi decided to pause the proceedings until 5 PM local time. He noted the session would continue then, with or without Gachagua’s involvement. This temporary halt intended to provide his legal team time to thoroughly evaluate and communicate his health condition.
“We’re pausing the session and will reconvene at 5 PM. We anticipate the Deputy President to take the stand at that time. Sadly, this process adheres to a strict timeline,” announced Speaker Kingi, underscoring the proceedings’ importance.
In September, Deputy President Gachagua marked two years in office but now faces serious accusations, including grave constitutional breaches and misconduct. His downfall began last week when the National Assembly ratified his impeachment under a motion from Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
The usually fiery Gachagua looked quite subdued during the Senate deliberations. While he attended Thursday’s morning session without issue, his legal team later broke the news of his sudden illness in the afternoon.
Senators were taken aback when attorney Paul Muite, leading Gachagua’s defense, confirmed his client’s admission to a local hospital. Seeking time to assess the situation, Muite emphasized the need to understand the severity of the incident.
“Let me assess the Deputy President’s situation for the day, and I shall report back by 5 PM after consulting with him and the doctors,” Muite requested. An experienced Kenyan lawyer and former presidential contender, Muite’s role was pivotal.
Understanding the constitutional imperatives of a timely impeachment, National Assembly lawyers, led by Siaya Governor James Orengo, urged Muite to ensure Gachagua’s rights to a fair hearing were honored.
“You’ve highlighted that these proceedings are bound by time,” Orengo stated. “I urge Senior Counsel Paul Muite to guide us forward as we must allow the Deputy President his right to be heard,” he concluded.
Prominent legal expert Ken Echesa argued that the situation, while pressing, wasn’t a matter of life and death. He maintained that the Senate could still adjust to allow Gachagua a fair chance to present personally.
“Tonight’s vote isn’t life-and-death in legal terms. It would be sensible for the Senate to reconsider their agenda and allow the Deputy President to present his case,” Echesa suggested.
As the session’s resumption loomed, options on how to proceed remained open. The Senate might decide based on Gachagua’s written submissions alone, as cross-examination opportunities would be limited for assembly attorneys in his absence.
In decision-making, the Senate would review each of the 11 charges. If validated, impeachment stands; failure to do so means Gachagua weathered the political tempest.
Word on the grapevine suggests a rift between Gachagua and President William Ruto spurred the impeachment push, with the President’s cohorts leading the charge. Gachagua, however, staunchly defended himself, noting his opponents’ misinterpretation of public sentiment. President Ruto has yet to weigh in, yet the Senate vote is proceeding tonight.
AXADLETM
