Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s legal team walked out the Senate on Thursday after their request to postpone the impeachment trial until October 22, 2024, was denied.
Lead counsel Paul Muite had appealed to Speaker Amason Kingi to suspend the proceedings until Saturday, citing Gachagua’s hospitalization due to severe chest pains as the reason for the delay. However, the Senate dismissed the appeal and voted to proceed with the trial as scheduled on Saturday.
In light of this decision, Gachagua’s lawyers requested permission to withdraw from presenting their closing arguments.
“Because we do not have clear instruction from our client, we seek leave not to make our closing statement,” Muite said.
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Following the walkout of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s legal team, Speaker Amason Kingi allowed the National Assembly to present their closing statements in the impeachment trial, where Gachagua faces eleven charges, all of which he has denied.
Once the closing statements are finished, the Senators will engage in a debate on the motion before casting their votes on Gachagua’s impeachment.