DP Gachagua falls ill, rushed to hospital ahead of impeachment trial grilling

While addressing Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Muite, lead counsel representing Gachagua, confirmed that the DP fell ill and had to be rushed to hospital.

Muite requested Speaker Kingi to accord him an hour or two to visit Gachagua and deem whether he can proceed with the trial.

Gachagua was set to give his statement and be cross-examined by lawyers representing the National Assembly.

"Apologies and regrets that the Deputy President is not here and the inconveniences and delays caused to the Speaker and the Senator. The position is that during that period that we went as I tried to find out why he's not here, the sad reality is that the DP has been taken sick and is in hospital," Muite said as he requested to be accorded till 5:00 pm to bring a report about his client's status. 

The lead counsel representing the National Assembly, however, sought the trial to proceed without Gachagua's presence. 

Upon reviewing both arguments, Speaker Kingi ordered the Senate to be suspended till 5:00 pm. 

Speaking after the senate session was suspended, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo said that the DP looked lethargic after during the lunch break.

The Senator noted that the DP ought to be accorded a chance to give his defence before the Senate in line with the Constitution. 

"He looked tired, in fact he had lunch at his office with some Senators from his region and they said he was okay and all of a sudden they said he was ill at his office and was rushed to hospital," Maanzo said.

"So long as he in hospital, he must be accorded a fair chance to be listened to under the constitution and we'll wait for the judgment of the speaker and if he says we proceed, then that will have its place in law," he added.