Deputy President Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua has begun a dialogue to prepare his supporters for the outcome of his impeachment hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, 2024, and Thursday, October 17, 2024. Speaking after attending a church service and the 34th Anniversary Thanksgiving of the ACK Diocese of Embu in Embu County on Sunday, October 13, 2024, DP Gachagua reached out to his loyal supporters in the vast Mt Kenya region and across the nation, urging them to accept the results of the process.
The embattled Deputy President emphasized the importance of peace and coexistence, regardless of the Senate’s verdict. “Irrespective of what will happen, I want to call for peace in Mt Kenya region and the entire nation. We only have this country and not any other,” Gachagua stated. “Let us love one another and embrace peace as we continue doing our work because that is the most important thing.”
His comments come in the wake of his impeachment motion’s approval by the National Assembly, which has elicited mixed reactions among Kenyans. Recently, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika faced heckling while reading President William Ruto’s speech at a funeral in the county, and former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria was booed by a crowd at a concert organized by a Mugithi artist.
Senate Hearing
Speaker Amason Kingi announced that the trial for the Deputy President’s removal would be conducted in plenary after a motion to establish an 11-member special committee was withdrawn due to a lack of support. Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot had proposed the motion, but Deputy Majority Whip Edwin Sifuna declined to second it when called upon, prompting the Speaker to withdraw the motion.
Consequently, the Speaker set the trial dates for Wednesday, October 16, 2024, and Thursday, October 17, 2024. He instructed the Clerk of the Senate to issue invitations for both parties by the end of business on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. The parties have until Monday, October 14, 2024, to submit their responses to the Clerk of the Senate’s Office, which will then circulate the received documents, including the Plenary Hearing Programme, to all Senators.
The National Assembly adopted the motion for Gachagua’s impeachment on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, citing 11 grounds, including gross violations of the constitution, undermining the President, the Cabinet, and the effective functioning of the national government’s executive mandate. He is also accused of undermining devolution and violating Article 160(1) of the Constitution regarding the institutional and decisional independence of judges, among other allegations.
At the Senate, Gachagua will have another opportunity to defend himself before a verdict is delivered.
