Rigathi Gachagua: Tight security as DP arrives at Senate ahead of impeachment hearing

• Vice President Rigathi Gachagua has arrived in the Senate to defend himself against impeachment charges
• The hearing comes hours after a three-judge bench refused to block the Senate from debating and voting on the impeachment motion
• Gachagua is facing eleven charges approved by the National Assembly, and the trial is expected to take place in two days

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi – Vice President Rigathi Gachagua has arrived at the Senate ahead of the start of impeachment proceedings.

How is security in the Senate?

Gachagua will meet the Senate plenary after the High Court in Nairobi rejected a petition he filed to prevent the Senate from hearing his impeachment case.

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Online videos show the vice president’s motorcade arriving at the parliament building, accompanied by his legal team, bodyguards and lawmakers associated with him.

The Senate is expected to read out the 11 charges against Gachagua as approved by the National Assembly.

Just before Gachagua’s arrival, security had been heightened as Parliament Road was closed ahead of the impeachment trial in the Senate, which was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

What are the charges against Gachagua?

The charges in the motion against the vice president include constitutional violations, related legal violations, gross misconduct and abuse of office.

MPs also raised additional concerns over Gachagua’s controversial comments about the Mount Kenya region as shareholders of the Kenya Kwanza government and allegations of promoting divisive politics in the country.

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He is also accused of violating the law on state secrets and undermining the collective responsibility of the cabinet.

Another concern is Gachagua’s decision to blame the National Intelligence Service for the deadly protests against the Finance Bill 2024.

Gachagua alleged that the intelligence agency under Noordin Haji had failed to provide crucial information about the protests.

The second man is also accused of angrily hitting on the agency during a meeting with President William Ruto, who denied him KSh8 billion.

More to follow…

Source: TUKO.co.ke