Senate Speaker Amason Jeffah King on Tuesday barred all senators and all Senate staff from travelling outside the country for 12 days.
In a letter sent to all senators dated October 8, Kingi further directed the lawmakers to ensure that all their activities outside Nairobi have been put on hold and all the energy directed towards the ongoing impeachment processes of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kericho Governor Eric Mutai.
“As you are aware, the Senate has substantive upcoming business for consideration in the coming days. Given the gravity of these matters, it is paramount that we maintain a focused presence in the Senate,” the statement read in part.
“To this end, all travel by Honourable Senators and members of staff in the Senate outside the country have forthwith been put on hold. I also urge committees to put on hold activities outside Nairobi, effective today, Tuesday, 8th October, 2024 until, Saturday, 19th October, 2024.”
To further cement this decision, the statement ends by informing the Senate staff that this is all in a bid to ensure that their entire focus was on matters before the house.
“This directive aims to ensure that all Senators are able to prioritise their participation in these important proceedings without distractions or disruptions.”
On Wednesday, the Senate set the dates when the hearings of the motion against the deputy president will happen to Wednesday and Thursday next week.
All Senators will hear the case in a plenary sitting and then table their report as opposed to appointing a committee of 11 senators as suggested by the majority leader, Aaron Cheruiyot.
"This is uncharted territory that the Senate is being invited to conduct the impeachment hearing of a Deputy President. Much as this is constitutional, it is the first time this is happening. I want to urge members to agree with me that we elect 11 of our wisest to read on our behalf and make a decision,” Cheruiyot said.
When called upon to second the motion, Senate Minority Whip Edwin Sifuna refused, stating, “This is a matter that is very unique and has elicited public attention. Therefore, given the mood of the house especially on the minority side, I respectfully decline to second that motion.”
The decision also led the Senate Speaker to direct the Deputy President to file his responses by Monday, 5.00 PM.
Also expected to be addressed in the Senate in the next few weeks is the impeachment of Kericho County Governor Erick Mutai, after the senate made the preemptive to defy orders the governor had obtained barring the house from interfering with his impeachment.
A sitting was convened on October 8, to hear the charges for the first time after the Kericho County Speaker Patrick Mutai forwarded the county government's resolution to the senate.
