Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and lawyer Ndegwa Njiru clashed on X over the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Njiru, one of the advocates representing the Deputy President in the Senate trial, commented on Thursday during the final session before the Senate’s vote to either impeach or acquit Gachagua. Sakaja had been listed as a key witness for the National Assembly, which voted on October 8 to impeach the DP.
However, reports emerged late Wednesday that the governor had left the country and would not testify before the House.
In a tweet, Njiru suggested that Sakaja had lost his nerve.
“Sakaja ran away to Mexico. Feared the trial,” Njiru stated.
In response, Sakaja challenged the lawyer to amend his statement.
“Rephrase your statement starting with the letter,” he retorted.
Sakaja neither confirmed nor denied withdrawing as a witness in the trial against Gachagua. In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Njiru had shown anticipation for cross-examining the governor during the hearing.
“Sakaja turaukiane kesho huko Senate ndugu (Sakaja, let’s meet early morning in Senate tomorrow),” Njiru posted.
“I am eagerly waiting to cross-examine Sakaja,” he added in another tweet.
Sakaja was supposed to testify on an allegation that Gachagua undermined devolution by allegedly inciting traders at Wakulima Market to resist a directive to relocate to a new site on Outering Road.
Last Tuesday, 281 members of the National Assembly voted to impeach Gachagua, while 44 MPs voted against his removal.
On Thursday, the Deputy President was scheduled to present his defense. However, his lead counsel Paul Muite informed the House that his client had been taken ill.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi then suspended the session following the revelation until 5 pm.
“Honorable senators, we are facing a very unprecedented situation,” Kingi remarked.
He explained that Gachagua was to take the witness stand at 2:30 pm, but due to the developments, Muite requested more time.
“Having considered both sides, my directions are as follows: we will suspend this sitting and resume at exactly 5 pm. We expect the Deputy President to take the witness stand at that time,” Kingi concluded.
