The illness of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua illness and his subsequent admission to Karen Hospital in Nairobi took many by surprise, including friends and foes.
His allies and friends trooped to the facility on Thursday, after Gachagua failed to show-up in the Senate for cross-examination.
Former Bahati Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ngunjiri struggled to contain his emotions as he expressed his displeasure over the decision by Senate to proceed with the impeachment motion despite former DP Gachagua’s absence.
Ngunjiri faulted President William Ruto and accused him of orchestrating the former Deputy President’s impeachment.
The former lawmaker further accused both the House and the executive of failing to take Gachagua’s health seriously.
“They can take all his property, but his health should be paramount. God protect Gachagua and maintain his health. His heart belongs to you, help us.
Right now, there is not much I can say. Right now, we leave everything to God. We will see him tomorrow,” Ngunjiri said outside the Karen Hospital.
Githunguri legislator Gathoni Wamuchomba on her part also emotionally addressed the press outside the health facility, echoing Ngunjiri’s sentiments.
While expressing her dissatisfaction with the impeachment, Wamuchomba urged the government to spare the former DP more woes and let him be.
Wamuchomba on Gachagua’s impeachment
The vocal legislator exuded confidence that Gachagua would soon get better and leave the hospital before taking a swipe at the government for continuously frustrating the former DP without any good reason.
“Gachagua will eventually leave the hospital. We are praying for him. If you are so interested in the deputy president’s seat you can keep it. He has not occupied that position for long. But leave him alone and the little he has at his age,” Wamuchomba stated tearfully.
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Their sentiments came following the admission of Gachagua to Karen Hospital on Thursday afternoon.
Chief Cardiologist Dr Dan Gikonyo while addressing the press outside the Hospital said that the former DP is in stable condition.
Gikonyo reported that he was admitted around 3 PM after experiencing severe chest pains.
“The deputy president was admitted here this afternoon. He came in about 3 o’clock with a lot of chest pains. He is undergoing various investigations, blood tests, ECGs, all the things we do to find out if there is any danger,” said Dr. Gikonyo around 7:45 PM on Thursday.
“Right now, he is stable. The pain is less. Blood pressure is okay, and we are still carrying on with investigations.”
Dr Gikonyo further noted that Gachagua would require close monitoring for 48 to 72 hours to ensure his safety.
Former DP Gachagua taken ill
The former DP was taken ill just moments before he was scheduled to take the witness stand for cross-examination in his impeachment trial at the Senate.
He was expected to begin his testimony following the lunch break, but his legal team informed the Senate that he had been rushed to the hospital.
Also Read: Gachagua’s Health Status: Doctor Reveals When DP Will Be Released from Hospital
Gachagua’s attorney, Paul Muite, pleaded with Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to allow time to assess his client’s condition before reporting back by 5 PM.
However, counsel for the National Assembly disagreed, urging the Speaker to proceed with the trial without the former DP’s presence, citing the time-sensitive nature of the process.
After the session resumed at 5 PM, Gachagua’s legal team informed the House that he had been diagnosed with intense chest pains and admitted to Karen Hospital.
They requested the Speaker grant them five days until Tuesday next week so that the Deputy President could recover and participate in the proceedings.
The Senate however voted against the motion to postpone the session, allowing for the impeachment hearing to continue in Gachagua’s absentia
Following the voting, the Senate plenary went on to uphold the decision to impeach Gachagua after finding him guilty of five charges out of the eleven levelled against him.
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