After Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's lawyer, Paul Muite, informed the Senate that his client could not attend cross-examinations on Thursday, October 17, due to illness, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo shared details of what transpired earlier in the day.

Speaking after the Senate hearing was suspended, Maanzo recounted that Gachagua appeared tired during a lunch break but did not show any signs of serious illness at the time.

"The Deputy President just looked tired. In fact, he had lunch in his office with some senators from his region, and they said he was okay. Everyone, including his lawyers, expected him in the Senate," Maanzo told the press.

Maanzo explained that shortly after the lunch break, a report came from Gachagua's office that he had suddenly fallen ill. This unexpected development led Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to postpone the impeachment hearing until 5:00 pm.

The Deputy President had been present in the Senate earlier in the day as the proceedings continued. He was expected to appear in person for his cross-examination after the break.

Speaking further, Senator Maanzo emphasized that Gachagua should be granted a fair opportunity to defend himself despite his illness. "So long as he is in the hospital, he must be accorded a fair chance to be heard under the Constitution. We will await the Speaker’s judgment and proceed accordingly," Maanzo stated.

Just before the DP was due to defend himself, his lawyer, Paul Muite, reported that Gachagua had gone missing. Minutes later, Muite informed the Senate that Gachagua had fallen "very sick" and was rushed to the hospital.

"The sad reality is that the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya has been taken very sick, and as I speak, he is in the hospital," Muite told the Senate.

Details about Gachagua's specific ailment and the hospital he was taken to remain undisclosed, leaving the Senate in a state of uncertainty. Senators were seen consulting with each other, unsure of how to proceed with the much-anticipated impeachment trial.

After some deliberations, Speaker Kingi suspended the sitting until 5:00 pm, ordering that Gachagua should appear by that time. "We will suspend this sitting and resume at exactly 5. We expect the Deputy President to take the stand at that time. This is a time-bound process, unfortunately. It is so ordered," Kingi ruled.