The Senate has officially gazetted the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, a historic moment in Kenyaโs politics. In a Gazette Notice dated Thursday, October 17, Speaker of the Senate Amason Jeffah Kingi declared the Deputy President’s office vacant following his removal from office. The Gazette Notice (No. 13400) outlined the constitutional provisions under which Gachagua was impeached.[โฆ]CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLEโถ
“Pursuant to Articles 145 (7) and 150 (1) (b) and (2) of the Constitution and Standing Order 78 (8) of the Senate Standing Orders, on Thursday, 17th October, 2024, the Senate resolved to remove from office, by impeachment, His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua, E.G.H., Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya,” read the notice in part.
Kingi went on to outline the precise allegations for which Gachagua was found guilty, resulting in his historic removal from office. These included flagrant violations of many provisions of the constitution, misconduct, and major questions about his devotion to the country’s laws and institutions.
The now-former DP was accused of undermining the judiciary’s independence, a violation of Article 160 (1). He was also charged with breaking the National Cohesion and Integration Act, notably sections 13 (1)(a) and 62, which deal with promoting ethnic harmony and preventing hate speech.
Gachagua was also found guilty of wrongdoing incompatible with the function of Deputy President for his attacks on the Nationalย Securityย Intelligence Service and its officers.
Earlier, Senator Dan Maanzo shared details regardingย Gachagua’s final moments before he disappeared from the Senateย after reportedly falling ill. He also mentioned that he had lunch at his office with several Senators from the Mt.ย Kenyaย region, who confirmed that Gachagua was doing well.
When asked what the Senate would do if he didn’t show up at 5pm as instructed by the Senate Speaker, Maanzo said that as long as Gachagua is in the hospital, he will be given a fair opportunity to be heard under the constitution.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi suspended the session until 5pm, after when he would give directions should Gachagua fail to show up The DP’s lead counsel,ย Paul Muite, confirmed that the deputy president was hospitalisedย after he became sick Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s legal team sought toย have his impeachment trial adjourned until Tuesday next weekโฆCLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES>>>
