Editor's Review

The deputy president has assembled a 20-member team of legal representatives.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has assembled a team of lawyers who will be putting up a defence for him as he challenges his impeachment. 

The National Assembly has scheduled a special plenary sitting on Tuesday, October 8, during which the deputy president will present himself to shake himself off the charges forming the basis for his proposed impeachment.

Gachagua hired a 20-member legal team stewarded by Senior Counsel Paul Muite.

Others include Victor Ogeto, Amos Kisilu, Tom Macharia, and Elisha Ongoya.

Giving a sneak peek of the defence they are building, Ogeto revealed they were adequately prepared.

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"We have looked through the points and the accusations of the deputy president, and I think we are prepared to deal with it," Ogeto said in an interview.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has a date with the National Assembly on Tuesday, October 8.

Ogeto revealed that their defence would be based on the impeachment process, whose principles he said were flouted from the word go.

First, the team will be seeking the recusal of Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and his deputy Gladys Shollei, whom he said expressed bias.

Wetang'ula and Shollei are believed to be supporting the ouster after being quoted in the public giving their sentiments.

According to Ogeto, the aspect of a fair hearing would be corrupted if the duo sat on the floor to preside over Gachagua's trial.

"For the sake of justice, I think the two principal officers should recuse themselves as the debate is coming up," Ogeto said.

Further, the team poked holes in the manner in which the public participation was conducted.

They argue that Kenyans were not adequately prepared to give their views; they suggested the public was ambushed by the process.

"You give a notice at night, then people wake up to it the following morning. How fair is that," Ogeto posed.

Among the charges on which the impeachment proposal is based are alleged abuse of office, gross violation of the constitution and law breaches, alleged involvement in corruption and inflammatory remarks.

Recently, the deputy president hit out at his boss, President William Ruto, whom he accused of bankrolling the MPs to actualise the impeachment.