On Tuesday, Senate Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi issued a directive barring all senators and Senate staff from traveling abroad for 12 days.
In a letter dated October 8, Kingi instructed lawmakers to suspend any activities outside Nairobi and focus all their efforts on the ongoing impeachment proceedings involving Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Kericho Governor Eric Mutai.
“As you are aware, the Senate has substantive upcoming business for consideration in the coming days. Given the gravity of these matters, it is paramount that we maintain a focused presence in the Senate,” the statement read in part.
“To this end, all travel by Honourable Senators and members of staff in the Senate outside the country have forthwith been put on hold. I also urge committees to put on hold activities outside Nairobi, effective today, Tuesday, 8th October, 2024 until, Saturday, 19th October, 2024.”
The statement also emphasized that this decision was made to ensure that the full attention of both senators and Senate staff remains on the critical matters before the House.
The directive underscores the importance of prioritizing the ongoing impeachment processes.
“This directive aims to ensure that all Senators are able to prioritise their participation in these important proceedings without distractions or disruptions.”
On Wednesday, the Senate scheduled the hearings for the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to take place next week on Wednesday and Thursday.
All senators will participate in a full plenary session to hear the case, rather than appointing a special committee of 11 senators as proposed by Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot. The decision reflects a commitment to involving the entire Senate in the proceedings before tabling their final report.
“This is uncharted territory that the Senate is being invited to conduct the impeachment hearing of a Deputy President. Much as this is constitutional, it is the first time this is happening. I want to urge members to agree with me that we elect 11 of our wisest to read on our behalf and make a decision,” Cheruiyot said.
When Senate Minority Whip Edwin Sifuna was called upon to second the motion, he declined, stating, “This is a matter that is very unique and has elicited public attention. Therefore, given the mood of the house, especially on the minority side, I respectfully decline to second that motion.”
Following this, Senate Speaker Amason Jeffah Kingi directed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to submit his responses by Monday at 5:00 PM.
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Additionally, the Senate is set to address the impeachment of Kericho County Governor Eric Mutai in the coming weeks.
This follows the Senate’s decision to defy a court order obtained by the governor, which sought to prevent the House from intervening in his impeachment process.
A session was convened on October 8 to hear the charges for the first time after Kericho County Speaker Patrick Mutai forwarded the county assembly’s resolution to the Senate.
