Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is facing impeachment charges, and the Senate is set to investigate the matter next week.

Speaker Amason Kingi has directed that the plenary will take on the task of examining the charges on Wednesday and Thursday.

This decision comes after a motion to form a special 11-member committee to handle the case flopped. Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot had pushed for the committee, stating that a small group of Senators should be chosen to review the charges and present their findings.

However, the proposal did not move forward because it lacked a seconder. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, representing the Minority side, declined to second the motion. He explained that the matter had attracted public interest and was too significant for just a committee to handle. “Given the mood of the House, especially on the minority side, I respectfully decline to second the motion,” said Sifuna.

As per the Senate’s Standing Orders, any motion that isn’t seconded is considered withdrawn. As a result, Speaker Kingi ruled that the entire Senate would now investigate the charges in a full plenary session.

The involved parties, including DP Gachagua and the National Assembly, have until Monday, October 14, to submit their evidence and defense.

Speaker Kingi also warned Senators against publicly discussing the case, cautioning that it could affect the fairness of the process.

He cited Senate rules, stating, “Desist from publicly commenting on the merits or demerits of the motion. Doing so would amount to anticipation of debate, which infringes Standing Orders.”

The impeachment charges against Gachagua were passed by Members of Parliament on Tuesday, October 8. A total of 281 MPs voted in favour of his removal, 44 voted against, and one abstained.