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DP Gachagua admitted to a hospital in Karen

His lead counsel, Senior Counsel Paul Muite, told the Senate that Gachagua was taken ill.

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by Tabnacha Odeny

Realtime17 October 2024 - 17:11

In Summary


  • The motorcade drove towards the hospital amid reports that Gachagua had been taken ill and was admitted to the hospital for medical checks.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at the Senate on October 17, 2024 (PHOTO: ENOS TECHE)

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been admitted to a hospital in Karen Hospital

His motorcade drove towards the hospital amid reports that Gachagua had been taken ill and was admitted to the hospital for medical checks.

His lead counsel, Senior Counsel Paul Muite, told the Senate that Gachagua was taken ill.

"The sad reality is that the DP has been taken ill and is currently in hospital. That is the sad reality," Muite said.

Giving a report on the DP progress to the Senate, Muite said Gachagua is suffering from intense chest pains.

"I have contacted the doctors who are attending to DP Gachagua and I was informed that he is currently suffering intense chest pains," Muite said.

Muite also told the Senate he was however not able to talk to the DP in person on the advice of doctors attending to him.

Muite had earlier requested Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to provide Gachagua's legal team with time to monitor his progress before the session can resume.

"My proposal is that you give me the rest of the day to have an assessment of the DP situation and come back by 5 pm after seeing him and speaking to the doctor," Muite said.

Consequently, Kingi suspended the impeachment trial until 5 pm.

"We will suspend this sitting and resume at exactly 5 pm. We expect the Deputy President then to take the witness stand at 5 pm. This is a time-bound process, unfortunately," Kingi said.

The Senate Speaker also said the trial is a time-bound process.

"Given that an impeachment trial is a time-bound process, there were two likely options out of the situation the House found itself in: Proceed with the trial without further reference to the accused, or push the hearing to a later date to give Mr Gachagua another chance to testify," Kingi ruled.

The impeachment hearing began on Wednesday at the Senate after the National Assembly approved the motion last week. It is expected to end today.

Gachagua is facing 11 charges, including gross violation of the constitution and laws, corruption, and bullying, among others.

To remove the DP from office, at least 45 senators out of the total 67 are required to approve. 


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