Gachagua to defend himself in Senate for 4 hours, as Sakaja set to testify against him

A programme drawn by the Senate Clerk, shows that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will on Thursday, October 17th, have four hours from 9am-1pm to present his evidence against the impeachment grounds and another session in the afternoon for cross-examination.

During the period, Gachagua’s lawyers will also have a chance to call witnesses to the stand, who he believes will help to save his job. His legal team says they have several witnesses lined up but did not disclose their names.

After his presentation, Senators will have a chance to question and seek clarifications from the DP, before ushering in his team to give their last submissions for an hour.

The National Assembly team will also have a similar period to give their closing remarks. The voting session is expected to kick off at around 7:30pm.

On Wednesday, the National Assembly team led by the mover of the motion, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, will also have equal time as that of the DP to prosecute their matter where several witnesses will be called to the stand.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau and former acting KEMSA Chief Executive Officer Andrew Mulwa are lined up to defend the impeachment motion. Already legal teams from both sides are going through the fine print in their responses.

Gachagua’s team had already announced a battery of 20 lawyers, who will be led by the experienced Senior Counsel Paul Muite alongside other top lawyers.

The National Assembly has also set up an equally strong defence team, led by Senior Counsel Paul Nyamodi. The others are; Eric Gumbo, Kipkogei Moses Kipkemboi, Dr. Muthomi Thiankolu, Peter Wanyama, Melly Kennedy Kipkoech, Joan Jeruto, Muriuki Eric Mwirigi, Mwereru Boniface Mawira, and Ondago Kevine Otieno.

Attorney General Dorcas Oduor says her role remains advisory.

The 10-day period prescribed by the Constitution to dispense with the matter has already kicked in, with members rushing against time to beat the deadline, if Gachagua is removed from office by 45 Senators supporting the motion.

Article 149 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 states that; “within fourteen days after a vacancy in the office of Deputy President arises, the President shall nominate a person to fill the vacancy, and the National Assembly shall vote on the nomination within sixty days after receiving it.”

If Gachagua manages to get 23 Senators to oppose his impeachment motion, then it will have been defeated and he will be back to his office.