Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is facing a pivotal moment as the Senate prepares to commence impeachment proceedings against him on Wednesday morning.
This follows a decision by the High Court in Nairobi on Tuesday, which denied Gachagua’s request to halt the Senate’s actions.
The Senate session is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m., when all Senators are expected to take their seats for a pre-hearing meeting lasting approximately one hour.
At 10 a.m., the proceedings will officially begin with an overview of the Senate’s mandate, procedural rules, and the hearing schedule. This will include introductions of lawmakers from the National Assembly, their legal representatives, and the Deputy President along with his counsel.
Representing the National Assembly in this impeachment motion is Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Eckomas Mutuse, the mover of the motion, alongside Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, JLAC Chairperson George Murugara, Homa Bay Town legislator Peter Kaluma, and Kanduyi MP John Makali.
From 10:30 to 11 a.m., Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye will read the charges against Gachagua, followed by a crucial moment where he will be asked to plead guilty or not.
Each side will then be allotted half an hour to present their opening statements.
The hearings will then commence, starting with the National Assembly, which will have three hours to present their case against the Deputy President.
Gachagua will have two hours to cross-examine his accusers.
The day’s proceedings are expected to adjourn at 7:30 p.m., with a continuation scheduled for Thursday, the final day of the hearing.
On the same day, a three-judge bench of the High Court will deliver a ruling at 8 a.m. on whether the Senate can proceed with Gachagua’s impeachment.
This decision follows a lengthy court session where Gachagua’s legal team sought to prevent the Senate from moving forward.
The bench, led by Justice Erick Ogola and including Justices Anthony Mrima and Freda Mugambi, reviewed Gachagua’s appeal.
Chief Justice Martha Koome consolidated multiple related matters into one case, with all parties required to submit their positions by Wednesday at 8 a.m.
The proceedings involve ten petitioners, eight respondents, and three interested parties, all concerning Gachagua’s attempts to halt the Senate’s impeachment actions.
Respondents previously sought to dismiss the case, with Justice Chacha Mwita having declined to issue restraining orders against the Senate.
