Lawyers for Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have decided to withdraw from his impeachment trial, citing their client’s absence as a primary reason.
Gachagua is currently unwell, and the Senate has opted to move forward with the proceedings despite this situation.
As the trial continued, several senators who support Gachagua joined the lawyers in leaving the chamber.
“It would be illegal for us to proceed without our client’s instructions,” lawyer Ndegwa Njiru stated outside Parliament Buildings.
The Senate rejected a request from Gachagua’s legal team for a delay in the trial due to his unexpected illness.
Speaker Amason Kingi indicated that Saturday, October 19, would be the final date for an extension, but the majority of senators chose to push ahead with the trial immediately.
“It’s regrettable that the motion for an extension was voted down. We should respect the Deputy President’s privacy during this time,” remarked lawyer Victor Swanya.
Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwa expressed concern over the haste of the proceedings.
“Why the urgency? Why rush to finalize this matter without the accused present?
This feels like an overreach by those in Parliament,” he said.
Gachagua’s lead counsel, Senior Counsel Paul Muite, had previously urged the Senate to postpone the hearings until Tuesday, citing his hospitalization for severe chest pains.
He argued that the Constitution mandates the Senate to ensure the DP has a chance to defend himself and highlighted that Senate rules stipulate that an accused must be given an opportunity to be heard unless they voluntarily choose not to attend.
Gachagua’s Legal Team Walks Out After Senate Declines To Postpone Impeachment Hearing