By : Lloyd Mahachi
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment trial took a dramatic turn yesterday when he failed to appear for cross-examination, leaving the Senate in confusion. His legal team was caught off guard, with lead counsel Paul Muite later revealing that Gachagua had fallen ill with intense chest pains and was under medical care at Karen Hospital.
Muite informed the House that he had received the news on short notice and requested time to assess Gachagua’s condition before proceeding with the trial. However, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi reminded Muite that the impeachment motion is time-bound, sparking further confusion. The National Assembly’s lawyer, Eric Gumbo, opposed Muite’s request, advocating for the trial to continue in Gachagua’s absence.
Gachagua’s impeachment trial has been a contentious issue in Kenyan politics, particularly after the National Assembly voted to impeach him on October 8. This latest development has added another layer of complexity to the proceedings. Gachagua’s team has now requested a five-day postponement of the impeachment hearing to allow him to recover and prepare for his testimony.
The Senate must now decide whether to grant this request or proceed with the trial in Gachagua’s absence. The outcome will have significant implications for Kenya’s political landscape, with many watching the situation unfold. The impeachment trial has cast a spotlight on the country’s governance and accountability structures, and its resolution will shape the nation’s future.
As the Senate deliberates on Gachagua’s request, the nation remains gripped by uncertainty. Will the trial proceed, or will Gachagua’s health issues delay the process? The coming days will provide crucial answers, shaping the course of Kenyan politics and the fate of its Deputy President.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi
