The day will culminate in a debate on the motion regarding Gachagua’s proposed removal from office followed by the crucial vote to determine the DP’s political fate.
The second day of impeachment hearings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua began at the Senate on Thursday, October 17, with Gachagua expected to take the stand and defend his case.
The DP is set to defend himself against all 11 charges levelled against him by the National Assembly, which caused 281 Members of Parliament (MP) to impeach him.
The day will culminate in a debate on the motion regarding Gachagua’s proposed removal from office followed by the crucial vote to determine the DP’s political fate.
A notable reminder is that if at least two-thirds of all the members of the Senate vote to uphold any impeachment charge, the DP shall cease to hold office, something he cannot afford to entertain as this would mean the end of his political career.
As per the Constitution, an impeached public officer is ineligible to hold public office in the future, and the individual will also lose his retirement perks.
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Key Highlights
3.07 PM: DP Rigathi Gachagua Goes Missing
The Senate has been left stunned after embattled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua went 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 is fond.
EACC Denies Investigating Gachagua
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Thursday, October 17 revealed that the agency was not investigating Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Responding to Senators, EACC Deputy CEO Abdi Mohamud, maintained that no file had been opened against the DP concerning the KEMSA scandal despite the accusations levelled against him in the impeachment motion.
“We have not investigated the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. We have not investigated him on any criminal matter in the past. That is our position. We have not investigated any company associated with the DP and that is our position,” he stated.
Gachagua is accused of applying pressure on former KEMSA CEO Andrew Mulwa over documents that were used in the tendering process. Consequently, the EACC boss reiterated that Mulwa had not made a report with the Commission over the alleged coercion.
“A report has not been made to us. We should not only wait for a report, we also have powers to investigate on our own motion but it is only after we analyse the reports as to whether they fit within our mandate,” the deputy CEO added.