Ailing Gachagua requests impeachment grilling be pushed to Tuesday next week

Through his lead counsel, Paul Muite, the Deputy President emphasized the importance of being given a fair opportunity to defend himself, given the seriousness of the trial.

Following Muite's report that Gachagua had fallen ill and was rushed to the hospital, he requested that Speaker Kingi postpone the trial to Tuesday, October 22.

"The choice of the language choosing to appear is to be read with Article 145 which obligates the Senate to accord the DP an opportunity to be heard. I leave the matter in your hands, Speaker," Muite stated.

"I suggest Article 145, sub-article 6(b) does not have the time limit of 10 days. In the interest of justice, given the weight of removing a DP from office, a couple of days. I would add humbly request that a couple of days I had in mind is up to Tuesday," he added.

National Assembly counsel Eric Gumbo, however, disagreed with the plea and argued that postponing the trial would conflict with the established timelines, as the matter is a time-bound process.

He stated that Gachagua's counsel should take over the proceedings as his representative.

"Because Gachagua has had an opportunity to present all the material that he wanted to present and had an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, all that is left is highlighting. We can forego the cross-examination and he can highlight the materials submitted before the House," he noted.

Gachagua's lead Counsel Paul Muite says his client, the deputy president, is suffering from chest pains.

Speaking before the Senate hours after the DP was taken ill, the Senior Counsel said Gachagua was admitted at Karen Hospital.