This marks the first-ever impeachment proceeding against a sitting Deputy President in Kenya’s history.
The Senate is conducting its hearing on the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from October 16 to October 18, and his fate will be decided in plenary.
The decision was made on Wednesday, October 9 during a special Senate session, convened to hear charges for the proposed removal from office, by impeachment, of Gachagua. This marks the first-ever impeachment proceeding against a sitting Deputy President in Kenya’s history.
By going the plenary way, the Senate is seeking to ensure that all voices are heard and that the process is transparent. Instead of delegating the investigation to a committee, all Senators will now have the opportunity to participate fully in the debate.
The plenary will mean that Gachagua will face all Senators and will have to fight even harder to defend himself after 281 Members of the National Assembly voted to impeach him on Tuesday, October 8.
The road to kicking out Gachagua, potentially the first time in the history of the Republic of Kenya, began following the introduction of a Special Motion by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua arriving in Parliament on October 16, 2024. /X
It outlined 11 charges against the Deputy President, including gross violation of the Constitution, undermining the President and the Cabinet, undermining Devolution, and compromising judicial independence by publicly attacking a judge.
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Key Highlights
1.10 PM: Gachagua Denies All 11 Charges
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges levelled against him by the National Assembly.
Speaking on Wednesday at the Senate after the accusations were read to him ahead of hearing the impeachment case at the Senate, Gachagua insisted he is not guilty to all charges.
The Lawyers Represented
Gachagua is being represented by lawyers Paul Muite and Elisha Ongoya, Tom Macharia, Victor Swanya, Ndegwa Njiru, John Njomo, Faith Waigwa, Amos Kisilu, George Wandati, George Sakimpa, Andrew Muge, Eric Naibei, Julia Omwamba and Willis Echesa.
The National Assembly is banking on the services of Lawyer James Orengo as the lead counsel.
Orengo will lead a legal team comprising Paul Nyamodi, Gumbo Eric, Kipkogei Moses Kipkemoi, Muthomi Thiankolu, Peter Wanyama, Melly Kennedy Kipkoech, Joan Jeruto, Muriuki Eric Mwirigi, Mwereru Boniface Mawira, Ondago Kevine Otieno, Alex Mbaya, Kennedy Kyalo and John Mwangi Kang’u.