Senior Counsel James Orengo informed the Senate that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s legal team is required to provide evidence of their client’s reported illness. Orengo contended that the Senate relied solely on statements made by Gachagua’s lead attorney, Paul Muite.
“Muite has not provided any explanations,” Orengo noted. “For the Deputy President to fail to present evidence of his admission. . . we are merely depending on Muite’s assertions,” he stated. He emphasized that the Deputy President should have dispatched a physician to explain his condition and hospitalization, adding that Gachagua was present throughout the morning session.
“He went to his office, and there is no evidence that he was transported by ambulance,” Orengo remarked. “The Deputy President’s illness is impacting us significantly. ” There is no guarantee that the deputy will be present on Tuesday.
His condition may be opportunistic in the absence of evidence from the physician. This Senate must adhere to the Constitution and continue with the proceedings.
Gachagua’s impeachment trial took an unexpected turn when he failed to attend the afternoon session, during which he was scheduled to testify.
Shortly after his legal team reported that they could not locate him, they announced that they had received information indicating that the Deputy President had fallen ill.
Muite informed the House that the Deputy President had been hospitalized due to severe chest pains. He informed the Senate that he was unable to meet with the Deputy President in person on the advice of his attending physicians.
The Deputy President had been scheduled to testify as a witness in his defense.
The National Assembly’s legal team was also anticipated to cross-examine him.
The senators, who were attentively listening to the proceedings, urged the Speaker to adjourn the session when the Deputy President did not appear.
Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, while addressing the plenary, requested Speaker Kingi to suspend the proceedings until Gachagua’s legal team could clarify his whereabouts.
