National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula on Tuesday evening announced that embattled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will have a chance to defend himself before his impeachment is decided.
Speaking in Parliament after the tabling of the impeachment motion against the DP, Wetangula revealed that Gachagua will have two hours on October 8, 2024, to defend himself.
The August House further decided that the hearing will take place on Tuesday next week following public participation, which is expected to be concluded by Friday this week.
In his address to MPs, the speaker further revealed that the DP will be accorded the chance to present himself in person or have a lawyer represent him.
291 Members of Parliament signed a motion to impeach Rigathi Gachagua as the Deputy President accusing him of 11 accounts.
Kenyans in all 47 counties will be expected to table their opinions on the ouster of the Deputy President on Friday.
The Members of Parliament gathered on Tuesday in Parliament where the National Assembly speaker approved the motion to DP Gachagua, saying all 11 grounds meet the constitutional threshold.
Gachagua has been accused of using his two sons, to allegedly, massively launder money, conceal proceeds of crime, corruption, and benefit from influence peddling.
Other grounds for impeachment include; going against the oath of office, violating the National Cohesion and Integration Act, amassing property illegally, and misleading the public on critical matters.
The Members of Parliament who voted for Gachagua's ouster have called upon Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja to provide them with security, comparing Gachagua's ouster to that of United States's Donuld Trump.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed on Tuesday urged Wetangula to liaise with Kanja and offer protection to the 291 Members of parliament after some of the MPs had expressed fears about supporting the motion since it involved removing the country’s second-in-command.
Dadaab Member of Parliament Farah Maalim echoed Junet’s sentiments, opining that the protection should be extended to President William Ruto, who if the DP was to be ousted through the motion, will be expected to assent to it.
Gachagua's impeachment motion was tabled by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse who presented a 100-paged document to the August House indicating he had satisfactory evidence to support his grounds and prove that Gachagua was not fit for the Office of the Deputy President.
