Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua made his public appearance since he was impeached by the National Assembly on October 8, 2024
DP Gachagua and his wife Pastor Dorcas Rigathi were spotted at the Sarit Centre on Saturday, October 12.
In one of the videos seen by The Kenya Times, the DP and his wife are seen having an ice cream before interacting with Kenyans.
The two proceeded to buy books at the Centre before taking selfies and videos with members of the public.
Gachagua even went as far as dancing to the trending ‘Set It’ song with two other people in his session at Sarit Centre.
However, there are questions regarding the security detail of the DP.
Unlike past instances, Gachagua was not accompanied by heavy security during the session.
He appeared to be free in all the photos and videos except for one where three men (two with black caps and one with a yellow cap) seemed to be controlling the crowd.
DP’s Flight to Mombasa in June
This is not the first time the DP has appeared in public without security.
Gachagua attracted public attention in June when he boarded a Kenya Airways flight to Mombasa.
The DP was seen carrying his own bag while walking into plane without any security officers.
However, National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah responded saying Gachagua was well protected in the flight.
Ichung’wah said the DP travelled with at least 14 bodyguards drawn from the elite RECCE Company.
He stated that Gachagua’s decision to carry his own luggage was down to him since he had staff who could do that.
“The DP was also very well secured, and I can confirm that to the country. He had with him not less than 19 bodyguards. 14 of whom he was to travel with on that aircraft,” he said.
“Therefore, he had no problems with people to carry his bags; let nobody think that DP had problems of people to carry his bags. He had not less than three photographers to take the photographs.”
Gachagua Files Another Petition to Stop Impeachment
This casual public engagement comes after Gachagua filed another application to stop the Senate from proceeding with an impeachment trial.
In the petition, the DP cites 10 grounds why the Senate should suspend the debate over the impeachment motion.
He argues the motion is replete with unsupported allegations, hearsay, and outright lies.
Gachagua also argues the National Assembly did not conduct a constitutionally compliant public participatio
Also Read: From Start to Voting: How Senate Will Conduct Gachagua’s Trial
Senate Debate Dates
Gachagua will face the full House of the Senate as he fights attempts to remove him from office through impeachment.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi ruled that the trial for the removal of Gachagua would be conducted by the plenary after a motion to establish an 11-member special was withdrawn for lack of a seconder.
Also Read: Gachagua Replacement: 5 Top Candidates Likely to be Kenya’s Next Deputy President
Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot had moved the motion, but the Deputy Majority Whip Edwin Sifuna refused to second the motion when called upon, forcing the Speaker to withdraw the motion.
As a result, the Speaker set Wednesday, October 16 and Thursday, October 17 as the date of the trial.
He directed the Clerk of the Senate to issue invitations to appear to both parties by the close of business on Wednesday, October 9, 2024.
The Parties have until Monday, October 14 to file their responses with the Office of the Clerk of the Senate after which the Office of the Clerk will have to circulate documents received from the Parties, including the Plenary Hearing Programme, to all the Senators.
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