The Senate of Kenya resumed its sitting today at 5:00 PM to continue the much-anticipated impeachment hearing of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, only for the session to face an unexpected twist. His Excellency Gachagua, who was expected to testify, was reported to have fallen suddenly ill, throwing the proceedings into disarray.
Deputy President Gachagua Taken Ill Before Testifying
In a dramatic turn of events, Paul Muite, the Deputy President’s lead counsel, informed the Senate that his client had been struck by a sudden illness and was unable to appear. According to Muite, Gachagua is experiencing intense chest pains and is currently being attended to by a team of doctors. The development came as a surprise, especially since Gachagua had been expected to testify in his defense against the impeachment charges brought against him.
Muite, addressing the Senate, revealed that he was unable to personally see the Deputy President due to his medical condition. He noted that Gachagua’s doctors were attending to him, and no additional details regarding his health were made available.
Request for Adjournment Sparks Debate
In light of Gachagua’s illness, Paul Muite requested the Senate to adjourn the hearing until Tuesday, expressing hope that the Deputy President would have recovered and been discharged from the hospital by then. Muite emphasized the importance of a fair hearing, noting that Gachagua should be allowed to testify once he is medically able. He stressed that it was critical for the Deputy President to personally defend himself in what is one of the highest-profile impeachment cases in Kenya’s recent history.
However, the request for adjournment quickly sparked a heated debate in the Senate, with opposing legal counsel raising concerns.
Orengo Challenges Illness Claims
James Orengo, the lead counsel representing the National Assembly, objected to the request for a postponement, questioning the validity of the illness claim. Orengo pointed out that no medical documents had been submitted by the Deputy President’s legal team to substantiate the claim that Gachagua had indeed fallen ill.
“I stand here before this honorable house without a single piece of evidence that the Deputy President is unwell. Not even a note from a doctor has been provided to show his condition. We cannot allow such claims to derail these proceedings,” Orengo said.
Orengo suggested that the Deputy President’s legal counsel could continue to represent him in his absence, arguing that the impeachment trial should proceed without further delays. He emphasized the importance of keeping the process on track, especially given the high stakes involved and the attention the trial has garnered nationally and internationally.
Tension in the Senate
The sudden illness of the Deputy President has injected a fresh layer of tension into the already contentious impeachment trial. Senators appeared divided over whether to grant the adjournment request, with some expressing sympathy for the Deputy President’s condition, while others echoed Orengo’s concerns over the lack of documented proof of his illness.
The Senate proceedings have now been temporarily suspended as the Speaker weighs the arguments from both sides. The decision on whether the hearing will be adjourned until Tuesday is expected to be made in the coming hours, with the nation anxiously awaiting the next steps in the trial.
What’s Next for Gachagua?
As the nation awaits a decision on the adjournment, questions continue to swirl around the health of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. His sudden illness comes at a critical juncture in his impeachment trial, which has already captivated the country. Should the Senate decide to grant the request, Gachagua will have until Tuesday to recover and testify in his defense.
If, however, the Senate sides with Orengo’s argument, the trial could proceed without Gachagua’s personal testimony, potentially weakening his defense in the eyes of the public.
This latest development only adds to the drama surrounding the impeachment trial, with political analysts predicting that the outcome could have far-reaching implications for Kenya’s political landscape. The next few days will be crucial in determining the future of one of the country’s most prominent leaders.
Conclusion
The impeachment trial of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has taken a sudden and dramatic turn following his reported illness, raising questions about the future of the proceedings. As the Senate debates whether to adjourn the trial until Tuesday, Kenyans are left wondering how this latest development will affect the case and whether the Deputy President will get his chance to personally defend himself in front of the nation.
