“This is justice for the children of his deceased brother. ” When widows seek justice, God responds to them. “Today is the answer,” stated Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, as senators voted to endorse Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s removal from office.
In a historic decision, senators yesterday agreed with a motion from the National Assembly to remove Gachagua from his second-in-command position due to gross misconduct and violations of the constitution and his oath of office.
The spirit of his late brother, Nderitu Gachagua, was invoked in relation to accusations against the Deputy President concerning the denial of substantial wealth to the deceased’s family for personal gain.
The debate on the Deputy President’s impeachment occurred while he was hospitalized at Karen Hospital after reporting chest pains.
Gachagua was expected to testify in the afternoon but did not attend, with his lawyer, Paul Muite, informing the Senate that the Deputy President had fallen ill.
Dr. Dan Gikonyo from Karen Hospital later indicated that the Deputy President would require observation for at least three days.
“Deputy President Gachagua arrived with significant chest pains. ” He is currently undergoing several investigations, but he is stable at this time. The discomfort is diminished. We initially believed the situation was concerning, but we will monitor him closely and conduct tests. “We will monitor him for at least 72 hours, so we do not want to hurry anything,” the doctor informed the press.
After voting against an adjournment motion, senators engaged in debate throughout the night, following a ruling by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi that the proceedings could not be postponed.
“The impeachment process is both a political and legal procedure with significant consequences. “If you honor the constitution, you must also uphold the institutions of accountability, including Parliament,” stated Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot.
“The residents of Kilifi are dissatisfied that, rather than constructing a road for the local community. He constructed one that leads to his hotel. This is justice for the children of his deceased brother. When widows weep, God responds to them. “Today is the answer,” Senator Madzayo stated while supporting the motion, expressing that serving as deputy president elevates one to a position of national leadership.
Dissenting voices “The deputy president has been traveling around promoting division. ” All Kenyans are obligated to pay taxes. “It is regrettable that the Deputy President continues to assert that Kenya is a company with shareholders,” said.
Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua and his Nyandarua counterpart John Methu are among those who opposed the impeachment.
“The consequences of the impeachment will be painful. ” There is a rationale behind the decision of senators from Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Murang’a, and Laikipia to oppose this motion, as sanctioned by their constituents. The process is being carried out when we have a leader in the hospital. The individuals from those regions are suffering. “we will keep it in our hearts,” said methu.
nakuru senator tabitha keroche urged the senate to make a decision that “will keep the country peaceful.
”“if the senate chooses to remove the dp, the position should be returned to the same community,” she stated.
earlier, lawyers from the national assembly appealed to the senators to support the decision of the national assembly and send deputy president rigathi gachagua home.
in their closing remarks, the lawyers asserted that the comments made by gachagua were in bad faith and he should resign from office.
counsels otiende amollo, tharaka mp george murugara, eric gumbo, and mombasa woman representative zamzam mohammed informed the senate that the relationship between the president and gachagua had completely deteriorated.
they delivered their closing remarks after their colleagues, led by senior counsel paul muite, representing gachagua, withdrew from the proceedings when senators refused to postpone the hearing to tuesday.
muite had requested a postponement on the grounds that gachagua could not appear due to severe chest pains that led to his admission at karen hospital.
“i would like to inform honourable senators that i have contacted the doctors at karen hospital, and due to his condition, i was unable to speak to him directly on the advice of his doctors, who indicated that he must have complete rest for the time being. ” I was informed by his doctors that he is currently experiencing severe chest pain. “I did not wish to inquire further,” Muite informed the Senate.
Otiende contended that, although the right to appear in person or by counsel is guaranteed under Article 145, it is a right that individuals can choose to exercise or not.
“I would like to express my gratitude, Mr. Speaker, and to the Senate for exemplifying the maturity of a democracy. “Such that even if the Deputy President is unable to appear, without any record, this honorable Senate has provided the Deputy President an opportunity for his counsel to be present, and they have voluntarily exited,” he stated.
Inciteful utterances In his submission, the Rarieda MP remarked that the sentiments expressed by Gachagua are inciteful and discriminatory, particularly the assertion that only those who voted for Kenya Kwanza are entitled to resources and positions.
“The meaning of those utterances is clear to Kenyans. ” The peril of words is something we have recognized in this country since 2007. In our neighboring country, Rwanda, we are aware of the impact of words. I heard the defense attorneys state that the defendant did not take any action; according to the law, under Article 10, Section 27, there is no obligation to take action. “Utterances are sufficient, as they can cause the very harm that the constitution seeks to prevent.
” Murugara advised the senators not to defend Gachagua, stating that he is unable to collaborate with the president since their relationship has concluded. He contended that Gachagua’s comments were provocative, as he acknowledged his involvement in the shareholding narrative in Kenya.
“The question is this: If the Deputy President were to be salvaged by this house, with whom would he collaborate? He openly acknowledged in the house and to the press that he believed the president was responsible for this motion. He also acknowledged that he had violated the principle of collective responsibility, asserting that the cabinet had made unconstitutional decisions that he felt compelled to disobey.
Zamzam additionally urged for the removal of Gachagua, stating that he had not fulfilled his obligations to Kenyans regarding the shareholding narrative he had been advocating.
