National Assembly settles on MPs to defend Gachagua’s impeachment at the Senate

By Peter Ochieng

The National Assembly has settled on four Members of Parliament (MPs) to defend the impeachment motion against Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.

281 MPs voted for the motion last week, setting the stage for a legal battle at the Senate this week.

The motion was filed by Kibwezi West MP Eckomas Mwengi Mutuse.

The legislature will be backed up by four of his colleagues in his defence at the Senate, from both the Kenyan Kwanza and Azimio political formations.

Tharaka MP George Murugara and his Kanduyi counterpart John Makali will represent Kenya Kwanza, while Rarieda MP Paul Otiende Amollo and his Homabay Town counterpart Peter Opondo Kaluma, both from the ODM party will represent Azimio.

Murugara is the chairman of the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, while Makali and Amollo are members.

On Wednesday, the National Assembly team will have four hours to prosecute their matter, where several witnesses will be called to the stand.

A program shared by the Senate last week, showed that Gachagua will on Thursday similarly have four hours from 9am-1pm, to present his evidence against the 11 impeachment grounds, and another session in the afternoon for cross-examination.

Gachagua’s lawyers will also have a chance to call witnesses to the stand. His legal team said they have several witnesses lined up.

After presentation from both sides, Senators will have a chance to seek clarifications from both teams, before ushering in last submissions.

Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja, Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau and former Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) Chief Executive Officer Andrew Mulwa, are lined up to defend the impeachment motion.

If Gachagua manages to get 23 Senators to oppose his impeachment motion, it will have been defeated.

However, if 24 Senators vote in favour of the motion, he shall cease occupying office.

According to Article 149 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, 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.