Nairobi, Kenya, October 16- The National Assembly has altered its schedule to hold a special session on Friday, prioritizing urgent matters. This comes as speculation grows that Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s successor could be considered during the sitting.
National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro tabled the motion, which moved the start of the House’s short recess from Friday to Tuesday next week.
“That this House resolves to hold a special sitting on Friday and begin the short recess on Tuesday, 22nd October. We will convene on Friday, 18th October, at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to address priority business, including mediated bills,” Osoro explained while moving the motion.
He emphasized the need to make up for time lost due to the Mazingira Day public holiday and the recent suspension of parliamentary business for public consultations on Gachagua’s impeachment.
President William Ruto is anticipated to inform the House of his preferred nominee for the deputy presidency, a message expected to be delivered by Speaker Moses Wetangula.
Meanwhile, Gachagua faces an impeachment vote in the Senate on Thursday, after failing in his court attempt to block the process. The impeachment was triggered by a National Assembly vote that saw 282 members support the motion, marking a major blow to Gachagua’s political standing.
Should the Senate uphold the impeachment, Kenya could see a new Deputy President by the weekend. The leading contenders include Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
According to constitutional timelines, President Ruto must nominate a replacement, and the National Assembly is required to vote on the nomination within 60 days of receiving it.
As the Senate prepares for the crucial vote, a pre-hearing meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m., followed by a reading of the impeachment charges at 10:30 a.m. Both sides will then deliver their opening statements, with Gachagua’s legal team expected to raise preliminary objections.
The National Assembly’s legal counsel will present evidence and call witnesses, allocated three hours to make their case. Gachagua’s defense team will then cross-examine witnesses for two hours, before presenting their defense and witnesses over the next three hours.
Closing statements from both sides will take place between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., followed by a debate on the impeachment motion. Voting is set to take place between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., potentially sealing Gachagua’s fate.
