Kenya's Deputy President taken ill ahead of crucial senate impeachment vote

NAIROBI, Kenya - Under pressure, Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was taken ill on Thursday evening, his legal counsel Paul Muite confirmed, just moments before he took the stand in the Senate to give a rebuttal on various allegations leveled against him by the National Assembly.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi adjourned sittings until 5 pm local time when the matter shall resume, with or without his presence. The position was taken to allow his legal team to give a clear and concise assessment of his health status.

"We will suspend this seating and resume at 5 PM. We expect the DP to take the witness stand at 5 PM. Unfortunately, this is a time-bound process," Kingi said while stressing the magnitude of the matter in the Senate.

Gachagua, who celebrated his second anniversary in September, is battling among others, a gross violation of the constitution, gross misconduct, and abuse of office charges. The National Assembly impeached him last week after the motion filed by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse was ratified.

Since yesterday, a conspicuously subdued Gachagua, who is known for his combative nature, sat in the Senate, following proceedings pensively. On Thursday, he turned up for the morning session and was in good health until the afternoon pronouncements were made by his team.

To the utter shock of senators, Paul Muite, his lead Counsel, confirmed that Gachagua had been taken ill and was admitted to a city hospital. With the exercise marred in confusion, Muite asked to be given time to establish the magnitude of the tragedy.

"I propose that you give me the rest of the day to have an assessment of the DP's situation and come back by 5 pm after seeing him and speaking to the doctor," said Muite, a seasoned legal practitioner in Kenya and a one-time presidential candidate.

While underscoring the fact that impeachment is a time-bound constitutional exercise, the National Assembly lawyers led by Siaya Governor James Orengo, asked Muite to do the assessment and probably, ensure Gachagua gets a fair hearing.

"You have made it quite clear that these proceedings are time-bound. I request Senior Counsel Paul Muite to give us a way forward because we do not want anyone to say that the DP was not allowed to be heard," he said in his submissions.

Lawyer Ken Echesa, a legal expert, says the matter is not life and death in law, arguing that the Senate can still give Gachagua time to appear in person. The Senate, under its Standing Orders, is set to conclude the matter by the end of today.

"The matter of voting tonight is not a matter of life and death in Law. It’s only logical for the Senate to consider reviewing their schedule and give the DP a chance to be heard," Echesa says.

With the session resuming shortly, the Senate has an option of dispensing the matter with or without Gachagua's presence and could choose to rely on his written submissions and testimonies. However, the assembly Counsels will not have a chance to cross-examine him.

Senate shall make a decision based on every count and if any of the 11 allegations are proved, Gachagua shall stand impeached. Should the assembly fail to prove the allegations, the deputy president shall have survived a political storm.

Gachagua is said to have fallen out with President William Ruto, necessitating his ouster by the president's allies. But he has put up a strong defense, accusing his detractors of failing to read the mood of the people. Dr. Ruto is yet to comment, yet the Senate shall take the vote tonight.

GAROWE ONLINE