Senate Speaker Amason Kingi temporarily halted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment trial on Thursday afternoon after Gachagua failed to appear for his scheduled testimony.
Gachagua’s lead counsel, Paul Muite, informed the Senate that the Deputy President had unexpectedly fallen ill and was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
Muite requested a brief recess, asking Speaker Kingi to allow him time to communicate with his client and gather an update on his condition.
He assured the Senate that he would provide a status report by 5:00 pm.
In response, the National Assembly’s legal counsel voiced strong opposition to any delay in proceedings.
They argued that the impeachment trial is a time-sensitive matter, bound by a strict timeline, and emphasized that delaying the session could disrupt the trial’s schedule.
They urged Speaker Kingi to continue with the proceedings, even in the absence of the Deputy President, asserting that the trial must stay on track to ensure timely resolution.
After weighing both sides’ arguments, Speaker Kingi ruled in favor of a temporary suspension, agreeing to reconvene the session later in the day.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to the trial’s timeframe, stating, “Having considered the arguments presented, my directive is to suspend this session and resume at exactly 5:00 pm.
We expect the Deputy President to be available to testify.
This process is time-bound, and we must proceed accordingly.”
The temporary adjournment has left the Senate chamber on high alert, with both sides awaiting the final outcome of the day’s proceedings.
The Senate is set to resume later in the day, with Gachagua’s health status and his potential participation in the trial still uncertain.
The outcome of this high-profile case remains highly anticipated, as it could have significant implications for the Deputy President’s political future.
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