Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was rushed to the hospital during a lunch break in his Senate impeachment trial on Thursday, according to his lead counsel, Senior Counsel Paul Muite.
In an address to Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Muite explained that Gachagua fell ill and required immediate medical attention. As a result, Muite requested a one to two-hour adjournment to visit the Deputy President and assess whether he would be able to continue with the proceedings.
Gachagua had been scheduled to deliver his statement and undergo cross-examination by the National Assembly’s legal team before the sudden health incident. The trial proceedings may be delayed pending updates on his condition.
Gachagua was set to give his statement and be cross-examined by lawyers representing the National Assembly.
“Apologies and regrets that the Deputy President is not here and the inconveniences and delays caused to the Speaker and the Senator. The position is that during that period that we went as I tried to find out why he’s not here, the sad reality is that the DP has been taken sick and is in hospital,” Muite said as he requested to be accorded till 5:00 pm to bring a report about his client’s status.
After Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was rushed to the hospital during a lunch break in his Senate impeachment trial, the lead counsel representing the National Assembly argued for the trial to proceed without his presence. However, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, after considering both sides, decided to suspend the session until 5:00 pm.
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Following the adjournment, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo remarked that Gachagua appeared lethargic during the break. Maanzo emphasized the importance of allowing the Deputy President to present his statement before the Senate, in accordance with the Constitution, once his health permits. The trial now awaits updates on Gachagua’s condition before resuming.
“He looked tired. in fact he had lunch at his office with some senators from his region and they said he was okay and all of a sudden they said he was ill at his office and was rushed to hospital,” Maanzo said.
“So long as he in hospital, he must be accorded a fair chance to be listened to under the constitution and we’ll wait for the judgment of the speaker and if he says we proceed, then that will have its place in law,” he added.
