Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | The Senate is poised to determine Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s fate tonight after turning down a motion to postpone his impeachment trial until next week.
Senators voted against the request from Gachagua’s legal team, which sought additional time due to the Deputy President’s sudden illness, thereby allowing the proceedings to move forward.
In a ruling by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, it was clarified that only Senators have the authority to decide on extending the hearings within the constitutionally mandated 10-day period. Kingi stated that a motion to extend the trial to Saturday, October 19, would be the final date permitted by law.
However, the majority of Senators rejected this proposal, insisting that the impeachment trial must proceed without delay.
Gachagua’s lead counsel, Senior Counsel Paul Muite, had urged the Senate to postpone the hearings until Tuesday of the following week, citing the Deputy President’s hospitalization due to severe chest pains.
Muite stressed the constitutional obligation to allow Gachagua the opportunity to be heard, arguing that his absence was a result of medical circumstances beyond his control.
“I humbly request that you give him a couple of days to recover. The Constitution does not impose a strict 10-day limit in this matter. The Deputy President deserves justice, and we should not proceed without hearing him,” Muite told the Senate.
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Muite further highlighted Senate standing orders, which mandate that the accused be given an opportunity to be heard unless they voluntarily choose to forgo their appearance.
He emphasized that Gachagua had not opted to miss the proceedings but was instead incapacitated by illness, urging the Senate to act justly in this situation.
Despite this appeal, the Senate voted to proceed with the trial. As a result, Muite announced that Gachagua’s legal team would withdraw from the session, pending any further instructions from their client.
“We have no instructions from our client, and therefore, we cannot participate in these proceedings,” Muite stated before leading a walk-out by the defense team.
