‘Senate impeachment of Gachagua has serious flaws’ – Kalonzo argues

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Friday, October 18, 2024
1:05 pm

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Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has voiced his opinion on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment at the Senate on Thursday, October 17, 2024, citing that the process was historic but had serious flaws.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, October 18, 2024, outside Karen Hospital, where Gachagua is receiving treatment, Kalonzo argued that the former DP was not given a chance to defend his case by the senators who proceeded to conclude the trial.

Additionally, Kalonzo stated that the law of natural justice demands that no person shall be condemned unheard and that Gachagua deserves a fair trial.

He further revealed that Gachagua’s legal team has moved to court, seeking to stop President William Ruto from filling the position of Deputy President.

Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka in Mathare on June 19, 2024. PHOTO/@skmusyoka/X.

“What happened in the Senate last night, as historic as it was, has serious flaws. Kenyans should expect protracted legal arguments. We didn’t even discuss this with Gachagua, but we are aware that his teams have already moved to court. As senior counsel, the law of natural justice demands that no person shall be condemned unheard.

The senators declined Gachagua’s legal team’s request to adjourn the trial to Saturday after he was admitted to Karen Hospital and could not take the witness stand.

Gachagua’s impeachment

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, the Senate impeached Gachagua after he was found guilty of five out of 11 counts against him.

The vote took place while Gachagua was in the hospital suffering from severe chest pains.

Gachagua, who was facing 11 charges, including gross misconduct and abuse of office, has officially been sent packing after the House voted on grounds 1, 4, 5, 6, and 9 against him.

The impeachment motion was introduced in the National Assembly last week by Kibwezi West MP, Mwengi Mutuse. In a decisive vote, 281 MPs supported the motion, with only 44 opposing it.

Gachagua has made history as the first second in command to be impeached since the 2010 Constitution came into effect having only served for 766 days since taking over office on September 13, 2022.

Kindiki’s nomination

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki was nominated by President William Ruto on Friday, October 18, 2024, to replace the impeached Rigathi Gachagua after IEBC cleared him as being qualified for the DP position.

He has also been cleared by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Credit Reference Bureau (CRB), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).

If approved by parliament, he will be the third Deputy President of Kenya under the 2010 constitution.