The August House revealed in a statement on Wednesday, October 16 that it resolved to alter its calendar to hold sessions on Friday to consider priority business,
As the Senate prepares to consider Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, the National Assembly announced that it will hold sittings on Friday, October 18, a day after the impeachment proceedings are expected to conclude.
The August House revealed in a statement on Wednesday, October 16 that it resolved to alter its calendar to hold sessions on Friday to consider priority business, a rarity for Members of Parliament to conduct House business at the time.
Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro stated that the session will cover critical bills, including the Sugar Bill, Water Bill, and the Division of Revenue Bill, as well as other pressing business before the House recess.
While moving the motion, Osoro informed the house that several pending business matters required the members’ attention.
National Assembly Majority Whip and South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro. /FILE
“The rationale for this sitting is for the House to consider priority business, including bills in mediation, specifically the Sugar Bill (2022), Water Bill (2023), Divisions of Revenue (Amendment) Bill (2024), National Rating Bill (2023) and a number of Private Members Bills which are at risk of lapsing,” Osoro remarked.
The MPs will proceed on a short recess starting on October 22, 2024, after the Mashujaa Day celebrations on Sunday, October 20.
The timing of the announcement raised eyebrows as early as Wednesday morning, given that this will come hours after the Senate wraps up a two-day impeachment hearing against Gachagua, expected to start on Wednesday and conclude on Thursday, October 17.
Viral Tea has since learnt that with the Senate set to vote on Gachagua’s impeachment, the Assembly is likely to convene on Friday to approve a new nominee named by President Ruto, should the impeachment pass.
It is expected that as soon as the Senate votes to impeach Gachagua, he will immediately be degazetted before a new nominee is gazetted.
The announcement came just hours after Wiper Party Leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, claimed a predetermined process in the Gachagua impeachment to the point he alleged that President William Ruto could name Gachagua’s replacement by Friday this week, October 18.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Kalonzo hinted at a low-key meeting held within the National Assembly where it was decided that a special sitting would be held on Friday.
“The impeachment process is predetermined. The National Assembly will have a special sitting on Friday which means they have already prejudged what the Senate will decide,” Kalonzo claimed.
“This is a country that has now been bedevilled with the corruption of all kinds. Unless the courts come and stop the whole process, Gachagua’s goose is cooked because President Ruto by Friday will bring his nominee before the National Assembly.”
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua speaking at the National Assembly on October 8, 2024. /PARLIAMENT KENYA