Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua suddenly fell ill on Thursday and was admitted in hospital, causing a temporary halt to his impeachment trial in the Senate.
Speaker Amason Kingi announced that the proceedings, originally scheduled to continue in the afternoon, were postponed until 5 pm, emphasising that the process is time-sensitive.
“The proceedings stand suspended until 5pm when the DP will be expected to take to the witness stand. This is a time-bound process. It’s so ordered,” Kingi stated.
Gachagua’s absence created uncertainty among the senators and legal teams, as he was supposed to take the stand on the final day of the trial.
Senior Counsel James Orengo reminded the Senate that the constitution requires them to reach a verdict within a specific timeline, regardless of the DP’s health situation.
Lawyer Eric Gumbo expressed concerns over the delay, noting, It puts as in a bit of difficulty.
“In as much as we may want to empathise, there appears to be no indication on their end(the DP’s end) as to a specific proposal,” he said.
Meanwhile, SC Paul Muite asked for additional time to check on Gachagua’s whereabouts, adding that his absence complicated the proceedings.
“We are anxiously waiting for the DP. My colleagues can stand in for me as I make inquiries where he is held up,” he said.
The Senate awaits further updates on the Deputy President’s condition, with Speaker Kingi stressing that no other matters will be addressed until Gachagua appears to testify.
Earlier, DP Gachagua’s lawyers exited parliament without providing any comments about their client’s location.