Deputy President Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua has initiated a conversation to prepare his supporters for whichever outcome that would be rendered by the Senate on his impeachment hearing set for Wednesday, October 16, 2024, and Thursday, October 17, 2024.
Speaking after attending a church service and 34th Anniversary Thanksgiving of the ACK Diocese of Embu, Embu County on Sunday, October 13, 2024, DP Gachagua reached out to his diehards both in the vast Mt Kenya region and the entire nation, asking them to accept the outcome of the process.
The embattled Deputy President argued that the country needed peace and co-existence irrespective of the verdict of the impeachment hearing at the Senate.
“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 remarks come days after his impeachment motion was approved by the National Assembly and attracted sharp and mixed reactions from a section of Kenyans.
In a recent incident, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika was heckled while reading President William Ruto’s speech during a funeral in the county. Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria was also booed by a crowd while attending a concert organised by a Mugithi artist.
Senate hearing
Speaker Amason Kingi ruled that the trial for the removal of the Deputy President would be conducted by the plenary after a motion to establish an 11-member special was withdrawn for lack of a seconder.
Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot had moved the motion but the deputy Majority Whip Edwin Sifuna refused to second the motion when called upon, forcing the Speaker to withdraw the motion.
As a result, the Speaker set Wednesday, October 16, 2024, and Thursday, October 17, 2024 as the date of the trial.
He directed the Clerk of the Senate to issue invitations to appear to both parties by the close of business on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
The Parties have until Monday, October 14, 2024, to file their responses with the Office of the Clerk of the Senate after which the office of the Clerk will have to circulate documents received from the Parties, including the Plenary Hearing Programme, to all the Senators.
The National Assembly adopted the motion on the impeachment of the Deputy President on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
The Assembly cited 11 grounds, ranging from gross violation of the constitution, which includes undermining the President, the Cabinet and the effective discharge of the national government’s executive mandate.
He is also accused of undermining devolution and violating of Article 160 (1) of the Constitution on the Institutional and Decisional Independence of Judges among other grounds.
At the Senate, Gachagua will have another chance to defend himself before a verdict is delivered.
