Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will, on October 8, appear before the National Assembly to respond to accusations levelled against him in the impeachment motion.
The DP is facing an ouster after an impeachment motion was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.
“That, in order to observe the requirements of Articles 47 and 50 of the Constitution and Standing Order 67, H.E. the Deputy President shall be notified of his right to appear before the House on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, and the allocation of time between 5.00 and 7 pm,” Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang'ula said in a statement.
The Speaker said that DP is entitled to appear before the House in person, through a legal representative, or both during consideration of the motion.
He directed that Gachagua be notified of his right to appear on the said date and the allocation of time.
Wetang'ula further added that the impeachment motion will undergo public participation across all the 47 counties.
“That, public participation is an integral element of the process of removal of an elected state officer from office. In this regard, the House Business Committee has approved a programme of public participation across the country to be coordinated from the 47 counties on October 4, 2024,” he said.
Wetang'ula assured the MPs of their security and safety, saying it is a paramount priority for the Parliamentary Service Commission, which is charged with providing services and facilities to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of Parliament.
“As the chairman of the Parliamentary Service Commission, I assure all members that, apart from the existing arrangements made for their security and safety, additional arrangements shall be considered, if the need arises, in consultation with the National Police Service,” he said.
The Speaker called on the MPs and the public to grasp the magnitude of the journey the House is about to embark on, stating that the power to impeach is a profound check on the conduct of a state officer.
“To safeguard the rights of an affected state officer, the Constitution prescribes high and graduated thresholds on the National Assembly. The thresholds reflect the gravity of the task before the House,” he added.
“This Special Motion is not just an inquiry into the conduct of a State Officer; it is also a momentous test of the resilience of the constitutional procedures meticulously designed by the framers.”