The Senate has a packed week ahead, with two impeachment hearings coming along.
The House will from Monday, October 14, to Thursday, October 17, hold hearings for charges levelled against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kericho Governor Erick Mutai.
The Senate has since published the program for the two impeachment hearings.
Each will take two days, starting from 9 am to 7:30 pm on the first day, to 9 am to 8:30 pm on the final day.
During a Senate special session on Wednesday, Kingi said the House will investigate the 11 charges against the DP on Wednesday, October 16, and Thursday, October 17.
"Pursuant to Article 145 (3) of the Constitution and Standing Order 78 (1) of the Senate Standing orders, I appoint the sitting of the Senate for Wednesday, October 9, at 9:30 am as the sitting convened for the hearing," Kingi said in a gazette notice dated October 9, 2024.
Gachagua was successfully impeached in the National Assembly on Tuesday last week, with 281 MPs voting in favour, 44 against and only one abstaining.
To survive the impeachment, Gachagua will have to get 23 votes from the Senate.
In the event a member is absent during the session or abstains from voting, that will work in the DP’s favour.
Speaker Kingi said the hearing is yet another opportunity for the Senate to demonstrate its fidelity to the Constitution and live up to its reputation.
In Mutai’s case, Kingi stated that the hearing would be held on October 14 and October 15, 2024.
“The governor is accused of gross violation of the Constitution and other laws with misappropriation, misallocation and illegal drawing of county revenue and county finances, misappropriation or abetting misappropriation of publicly raised funds,” said Kingi.
The Senate will discuss the motion despite the existence of a court order blocking the hearing of the matter.
The order restrained the Senate from receiving the resolution, thus stopping the impeachment process until the case filed at Kericho High Court is heard.
The court also ordered Mutai, who is the petitioner, to retain, hold, serve and discharge all functions of Governor of Kericho County Government pending the hearing of the case.
The order restrained the Senate from receiving the resolution, thus stopping the impeachment process until the case filed at Kericho High Court is heard.
The court also ordered Mutai, who is the petitioner, to retain, hold, serve and discharge all functions of Governor of Kericho County Government pending the hearing of the case.
On Tuesday, Kingi suspended travel for Senators and members of staff in the Senate outside the country.
Owing to the substantive upcoming business for consideration in the coming days, Kingi said the members should remain in the country.
“Given the gravity of these matters, it is paramount that we maintain a focused presence in the Senate,” he said.
Kingi also urged the House Committees to put on hold activities outside Nairobi, effective Tuesday, October 8, to Saturday, October 19.
The Speaker stated that the directive aims to ensure that all Senators can prioritise their participation in these important proceedings without distractions or disruptions.