The Senate will from next Tuesday hear the petition to impeach Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua, Speaker Ekwee Ethuro directed yesterday. The sittings will run up to Thursday, after which Senators will proceed on a retreat to finalise the matter.
Ethuro also barred Senators from commenting on the impeachment motion either in or outside the Senate until after the completion and determination of the petition. “Senators should not during the hearing, comment in any forum in any manner prejudicial or pre-emptive to the fair and judicious determination of the matter,” Ethuro directed.
Gachagua is the fourth governor to be recommended for impeachment by Members of County Assembly (MCAs), after Martin Wambora (Embu), Paul Chepkwony (Kericho) and Mwangi wa Iria (Murang’a). Machakos Deputy Governor Bernard Kiala also had an encounter with the Senate.
Ethuro directed that the procedure which the Senate has previously utilised through its special committee will apply, with necessary modifications, to the hearing by the Senate in plenary.
“These procedures relate to appointment and notification to the public of the dates on which the Senate will consider the matter, invitation to the parties to appear, summoning of witnesses and the procedure for the actual hearing,” said Ethuro.
Senators led by Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) questioned why the Senators will be required to go on a retreat to discuss the merit of the petition after having held hearings on the same.
“Unlike in the past where the committee of the Senate had to retreat to compile a report which was to be presented to the plenary, in this case it is the whole House that will hear and determine the petition, the matter should therefore end here,” said Khalwale.
He was supported by Leader of majority Kithure Kindiki, Senators Mutahi Kagwe, Beatrice Elachi, Moses Wetangula, and Henry ole Ndiema. In response, Ethuro mainatined that after hearing the case, Senators shall go on a retreat to deliberate on the matter.
“On conclusion of the hearings, the Senate shall, as I have indicated before, adjourn to a deliberative closed- session after which, the Senate shall re-assemble in plenary and vote on each of the charges,” said Ethuro. Gachagua will cease to hold office if a majority of Senators vote to uphold the impeachment.
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