Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugen Wamalwa gave an update on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua‘s health.
Wamalwa on Friday, October 18, stated that Gachagua is stabilizing after being admitted for serious chest pains and high blood pressure, which put him at risk of a stroke.
“His doctors have told us here today that when he was admitted here, he had serious chest pains. He had very high blood pressure… The stress he had gone through, he was short of getting a stroke, but they admitted him,” said Wamalwa.
“They have managed him. We thank Dr Gikonyo and his team of doctors for the good care they have given Rigathi Gachagua.”
On Thursday, October 17, Doctor attending Rigathi Gachagua, Chief Cardiologist, Dan Gikonyo confirmed that the outgoing DP was sick and was admitted to Karen Hospital.
He added that Gachagua was admitted at around 3:00 pm is quite now in a stable condition.
“He came with a chest pain, and he is undergoing various tests including blood tests. Right now, he is stable, the pain is less, blood pressure is okay, and we are still carrying on with investigation,” Gikonyo said.
“We always play on the safe side; we don’t want to rush and make a mistake. You want to make sure that when you are done, and you are sure that somebody is safe.”
“As this process is time bound by the Constitution to be concluded in not more than ten days pursuant to Article 145 as read together with Article 150 of the Constitution and noting that the period provided for ends on Saturday, October 19. The only window open to the Senate if it so obliged the request for adjournment sought by council for the deputy president will gazette this day, as a further and final day for hearing of this matter,” Kingi said.
“Such a request is not made to the Speaker but to the Senate and is accordingly a matter for the Senate to determine. To facilitate this decision, I direct the Clerk of the Senate to circulate a supplementary order paper incorporating a notice of motion and a motion for adjournment sought,” he added.
He added, “The motion if carried will result in the Speaker gazetting October 19, as a sitting day to conclude the hearing and determination of this matter. If the motion is not, the decision of the senate will be that this hearing continues to conclusion in the manner provided.”
Consequently, Paul Muite stated that Gachagua’s legal team would not be able to continue participating in the impeachment hearing without the DP’s directive.
“We as the legal team representing the deputy president are not able to continue appearing without instructions. So, we humbly and with a lot of respect take your leave and the leave of this House,” Paul Muite said.
Also Read: DP Rigathi Gachagua Hospitalized
Muite Reveals DP Gachagua Suffering Chest Pains
Senior Counsel Paul Muite had earlier informed the Senate that doctor attending to Gachagua had advised that the DP requires complete bed rest.
Muite stated that the DP was experiencing intense chest pains and was currently inaccessible due to his health condition.
“I have been informed by his doctors that he is currently experiencing intense chest pains,” Muite said.
“I have been able to contact the doctors at Karen hospital, there are a number of them looking after the DP and I was not able to talk to him because of his condition,” he said.
Muite had requested the Senate that the DP be granted a few days to recover, as he has a right to a fair hearing.
“We are aware that this Senate made a decision to hear the charges in plenary so that we are proceeding under sub-article 6 (b) and this House is obligated to accord the deputy president an opportunity to be heard,” he added.
“I would suggest that Article 145 Sub-article 6 (b) doesn’t have a time limit of 10 days. Give the deputy president a couple of days given in the interest of justice and the weight of removing a DP.”
Muite urged the Senate to be human and compassionate until Tuesday October 22 as the heavens are not falling down to join with the earth.
“No one decides when to get sick and when not to get sick. Many of the senators here will have a story of their shock because of having spent an evening with somebody then the following day they hear that the person is gone yet that person was looking good and healthy,” he added.
Also Read: Gachagua’s Nephew Breaks Silence Over DP Taking Their Property
Senate Session Suspended
On Thursday, October 17, the Senate trial of Deputy President Gachagua was suspended after he fell ill and was hospitalized.
Speaker Amason Kingi then announced that the sitting would resume at 5:00 p.m.
Confusion spread through the Upper House when Gachagua went missing during the plenary session, prompting his legal team to abruptly cut short its defense.
They raised concerns with Speaker Kingi, requesting additional time to locate the absent deputy president.
Tension escalated as Speaker Kingi urged Gachagua’s legal team to present their key witness—Gachagua himself—who was scheduled to testify that Thursday afternoon.
“Honourable Speaker, we are waiting for the deputy president, and my colleagues can stand in for me, let me make enquiries where he is,” Senior Counsel Paul Muite pleaded with Speaker Kingi.
Gachagua was due to defend himself against the 11 impeachment charges in the Senate on Thursday afternoon, before senators take a vote on whether to remove him from office.
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