Senators impeach hospitalised DP Gachagua

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been impeached after at least 53 senators voted to uphold the first charge of gross violation of Articles 10, 27, 73, 75, 129 of the Constitution.

The remaining 13 senators who voted against the first count as stipulated in the impeachment motion, were not enough to save Mr Gachagua, whose political and public service career is in limbo.

“DP Gachagua ceases to hold the office,” Senate Speaker Amason Kingi said after the voting exercise was concluded on Thursday night.

Voting took place on Thursdays just a few hours after the embattled second in command had been hospitalised at the Karen Hospital, Nairobi with chest pains. This was revealed by lawyer Paul Muite after he didn't show up for the afternoon session to defend himself in the Senate.

 Dan Gikonyo however said Mr Gachagua was in stable condition even as specialists continued to carry out elaborate tests.

“When a patient comes with such chest pains, the first thing we do is to check the heart to determine if one has suffered a heart attack,” Dr Gikonyo said during a presser, surrounded by some of Mr Gachagua's family members.

Former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri was at the hospital. Others who stood by Mr Gachagua are Githunguri MP Muthoni Wamuchomba and former Laikipia Woman Representative Cate Waruguru.

The DP was last week impeached by the National Assembly after 282 MPs votes ‘Yes’ to the special motion that was tabled in the House by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse. Only 44 MPs voted ‘No’ to the impeachment motion.

The mover of the motion tabled 11 counts against the second in command.