Kenya Deputy President Hospitalized Amid Impeachment Trial.

Kenya Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Courtesy image.

Nairobi, Kenya — Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, popularly known as “Riggy G,” has been admitted to The Karen Hospital, suffering from severe chest pains, according to his lawyer Paul Muite.

Gachagua’s hospitalization came just hours before he was scheduled to testify in his own defence at an impeachment trial in the Kenyan Senate.

The deputy president had earlier appeared at the Senate on Thursday morning and was expected to return at 2:30 p.m. local time (11:30 GMT) to defend himself. However, his lawyer informed the Senate that Gachagua was too ill to participate in the proceedings. “The sad reality is that the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya has been taken sick, very sick, and is… in hospital,” said Muite.

Senate Refuses to Postpone Trial

Despite Muite’s request to adjourn the hearing by two days, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi ruled that the impeachment trial could not legally be extended beyond Saturday. The majority of senators also rejected the plea to delay the proceedings, compelling the trial to continue without Gachagua’s presence.

Muite, expressing frustration with the decision, declined to issue a closing statement on behalf of his client. “We as the legal team representing the deputy president are not able to continue appearing without instructions,” he told the Senate. “So we humbly and with a lot of respect take your leave, Mr Speaker, and the leave of this honourable house.”

Contradicting Reports on Gachagua’s Health

Earlier in the day, Senator Daniel Maanzo told Citizen TV that Gachagua appeared tired but had lunch with other senators at his office, and there were no immediate signs of illness. Many had expected him to attend the afternoon session to present his defence against the charges.

Gachagua is facing 11 charges, including corruption, inciting ethnic divisions, and undermining government authority. On Wednesday, when the trial began, he pleaded not guilty to all charges and described the impeachment process as a “political witch hunt.”

Impeachment Vote Looms

A two-thirds majority of the 67 senators is required to remove Gachagua from office. With the trial proceeding in his absence, the Senate is expected to vote on the matter by Thursday evening.

The high-profile trial has drawn significant attention, with analysts viewing it as a test of political stability in Kenya. If impeached, Gachagua’s removal would mark a major shift in the country’s leadership and could have wide-ranging political implications.

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