Senate to Vote on Gachagua Impeachment Tonight After Motion to Extend Sittings Rejected » Capital News

Nairobi, Kenya – October 17, 2024 – The Senate has voted to conclude the impeachment trial of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua tonight after Senators rejected a motion seeking to extend the proceedings to Saturday.

This comes after Gachagua was hospitalized, prompting his legal team to request more time for his recovery.

However, the request to adjourn the hearings was declined, with Senators voting to complete the impeachment process today.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi had earlier tabled the motion to extend the sittings until Saturday, the last available day within the constitutional 10-day timeframe, but the majority of Senators shot it down.

In response, Gachagua’s lead counsel, Senior Counsel Paul Muite, announced that his team would not participate in the remaining part of the session, leading a walk-out.

Muite explained that without instructions from the DP, who remains hospitalized, they could not proceed with their defense.

“We have no instructions from our client, and therefore, we cannot continue to participate in these proceedings,” Muite told the Senate before leading his team out of the chamber.

The Senate is now expected to take a vote eleven charges facing Gachagua, including accusations of accumulating KSh 5.2 billion in unexplained wealth through money laundering and government-related businesses.

The Senate’s decision not to extend the hearings has sparked debate, with some Senators expressing concerns about fairness, given Gachagua’s absence due to health reasons.

Others, however, maintained that the law must be followed, and the impeachment process should not be delayed any further.

The outcome of tonight’s vote will determine whether Gachagua will continue serving as Deputy President or be removed from office following the allegations against him.

About The Author