Speaker Amason Kingi has issued a stern warning to senators for their unruly behavior during Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's impeachment hearing.
The disruption occurred after the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Deputy CEO Abdi Ahmed and Gachagua’s lawyer Ndegwa Njiru made their statements.
Speaker Kingi then allowed senators to ask questions or seek clarifications, but murmurs and movement within the House soon escalated, leading to his intervention.
"Honorable senators, when given the opportunity to ask questions or clarify, it’s not the time for TikTok clips. This is a serious matter, and we must not embarrass this House," Speaker Kingi cautioned, addressing the trend of some lawmakers using sessions to capture videos for social media.
This behavior has previously sparked public criticism, raising concerns about the lawmakers' seriousness on important legislative matters.
Tensions rose when certain senators expressed frustration at not being given the floor to speak. Senators Seki Lenku (Kajiado), Chute Mohammed (Marsabit), and Okiya Omtatah (Busia) were reprimanded. Kingi warned them against disrupting the session.
He reminded them that the hearing would continue until midnight, urging patience and cooperation.
Speaker Kingi directly addressed Seki Lenku, threatening to expel him unless he apologized for accusing the chair of bias.
The Senate is working to conclude Gachagua’s impeachment trial by the end of the day today, though it may extend into Friday if a resolution is not reached. Gachagua, who has been in office for two years, is fighting to maintain his position after the National Assembly voted for his removal.
