“The deputy president was admitted here this afternoon. He came in about 3 o’clock. He came in with a lot of chest pains. He is undergoing various investigations, blood tests, ECGs, all the things we do to find out if there is any danger,” said Dr. Gikonyo around 7:45 PM on Thursday.
He added, “Right now he is stable. The pain is less. Blood pressure is okay, and we are still carrying on with investigations.”
Video courtesy of Citizen TV
However, Dr Gikonyo added that the second in command had to be kept under observation at the facility for two to three days to further assess the DP’s health. Even though Gachagua was revealed to be stable, Dr Gikonyo revealed that he was met with a health problem which poses a risk to middle-aged adults.
“Any adult between the age of 45 years and 50 years can get heart problems, especially high blood pressure, diabetes and from family history, you can get those problems. That is why we tell people all the time to make lifestyle changes,” the doctor added.
“If you come with chest pains in any hospital in this country or even in other parts of the world, you will be held captive for at least 48 to 72 hours to rule out serious issues. I am sure you guys read a lot, stress can cause heart problems.”
The deputy president reportedly fell ill on the final day when he was supposed to undergo cross-examination by lawyers representing the National Assembly at the Senate.
The news of Gachagua’s illness immediately sent the Senate into an abyss of confusion. Earlier, Gachagua was reported to be missing during the plenary session.
The Deputy President’s legal team was forced to raise concerns at the Speaker of the Senate, requesting more time for them to look for the deputy president who was nowhere to be found. The Senators hearing the proceedings requested for Speaker Amason Kingi to adjourn the proceedings until Gachagua was located. As a result, Speaker Kingi adjourned the proceedings momentarily.
Muite then told the Senate, “The sad reality is that the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya has been taken very sick, and as I address Mr Speaker and this House, he is in the hospital.”
He added, “That is the sad reality.” Gachagua was meant to be cross-examined by the lawyers representing the National Assembly led by Senior Counsel James Orengo.
Gachagua’s Lawyers Storm Out Of Senate
Meanwhile, Muite’s plea to have the session adjourned to a later date was opposed by the Senators who insisted on commencing with the debate on the DP’s ouster through the night. Gachagua’s counsel had earlier requested to have the trial pushed back to Tuesday next week, owing to his uncertain medical conditions.
Speaker Kingi, however, left the decision to the Senators in the house, saying such a decision was typically supposed to be made to the Senate, not the Speaker. The Senators in turn dismissed the request and vowed to push on with the proceedings, a move which prompted Gachagua’s lawyers to walk out as the proceedings continued.
“Mr Speaker, through you, let me recognise the right of this Honourable Senate to decide any issue put to it democratically which Mr. Speaker is what has happened,” Muite stated, adding “Arising for that decision of this Honourable Senate, was the legal team representing the DP are not able to continue appearing without instructions. We humbly and with a lot of requests take your leave Mr Speaker and the leave of this honourable house.”
Speaking outside parliament, counsel Ndegwa Njiru further broke down their reasons for declining to participate further in the proceedings, saying it would be improper to move forward in the absence of their client.