In a dramatic turn of events, Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was absent from his highly anticipated impeachment hearing due to serious illness, according to his lawyer. The hearing, which was scheduled for Thursday, was set to determine the fate of the deputy president amidst allegations of misconduct and corruption.

Paul Muite, Gachagua’s lawyer, informed the Senate that his client was too ill to attend the hearing, prompting a request for a delay until Tuesday of the following week. However, in a surprise move, the Senate voted to proceed with the impeachment process, with a vote on the motion scheduled for Thursday evening.

Gachagua, a key ally of President William Ruto during his election campaign two years ago, has been accused of inciting ethnic tensions and amassing wealth worth over $40 million since taking office. His net worth before becoming deputy president was approximately $6 million. The deputy president’s legal team has vehemently denied the allegations, citing lack of concrete evidence.

Last week, the National Assembly voted to impeach Gachagua, citing disloyalty and controversy surrounding his public statements. The move has sparked widespread debate, with many Kenyans believing that the impeachment is politically motivated and aimed at distracting from pressing issues such as the deadly anti-tax protests in June and July.

President Ruto, who has had strained relations with Gachagua in recent months, has remained tight-lipped on the matter. However, experts warn that if Gachagua is removed from office, it could lead to widespread public unrest and calls for similar action against the president.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi briefly paused the hearing, giving Gachagua until 5:00 PM local time to appear. However, with the Senate pressing on with the impeachment process, Gachagua’s fate hangs in the balance. If two-thirds of the Senate votes in favor of the impeachment, he could become the first Kenyan president or deputy president to be removed from office under the 2010 constitution.

The situation remains tense, with Kenyans anxiously awaiting the outcome of the impeachment hearing. As the country grapples with this unfolding drama, one thing is certain – the fate of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will have far-reaching consequences for Kenyan politics.