Gachagua’s Lawyers Exit Senate After Trial Suspension Request Denied

“Mr. Speaker, through you, I acknowledge the authority of this esteemed Senate to democratically determine any issue presented to it. ” The speaker has stated, “What has transpired is that the legal team representing the Deputy President is unable to continue appearing without further instructions due to the decision made by this honorable Senate. ” We respectfully request your leave, Mr. Speaker, and the leave of this honorable House.

During a significant second day of the Senate hearing in the Gachagua impeachment trial, the counsel, led by Paul Muite, expressed their dissatisfaction after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi decided that the trial would proceed in the absence of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking outside Parliament, Counsel Ndegwa Njiru elaborated on their reasons for declining to continue participating in the proceedings, stating that it would be unlawful to move forward without their client, who they allege is unwell and hospitalized.

“When the Senate made that decision, we chose to exit as remaining would constitute complicity in an illegality by participating in Parliament without proper directives from our client,” Njiru remarked.

The decision to leave the Senate occurred shortly after the Senate voted to proceed with the impeachment trial.

Gachagua’s counsel had previously requested a postponement of the trial until Tuesday next week, citing the uncertainty of Gachagua’s medical condition. Speaker Kingi, however, delegated the decision to the senators in the house, indicating that such a decision is typically made by the Senate, not the Speaker.

The senators voted, with a significant majority in favor of continuing the trial.

The decision faced strong criticism from Gachagua’s counsel, who expressed concerns about malice in the Senate’s apparent haste to conclude the trial.

“What is the rush with the Senate? Why do you want to resolve this issue today in the absence of the Deputy President, who is the accused? Those delivering the closing remarks are MPs; they have taken over the Senate. ” “It is a sad day for this country,” Karungo Thangwa said.