Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has dismissed a preliminary objection filed by the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in which he sought to bar Senior Counsel James Orengo from representing the National Assembly in his impeachment trial.

Mr Gachagua, through his lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, had wanted Mr Orengo barred from participating in the trial on account of the fact that as the serving Governor of Siaya County, he is restricted from engaging in any other gainful employment on account of a State Officer in accordance with the Article 77 of the constitution and Section 26 of the Leadership and Integrity Act. 

In his ruling on the objection, Speaker Kingi argued that the Deputy President had not submitted any evidence to suggest that in appearing for the National Assembly, Mr Orengo was engaged in gainful employment.

“He who assert must prove,” said Speaker Kingi, noting that the Deputy President had not provided evidence to back up the claim.

He also dismissed claim the trial of the Deputy President will be prejudiced with Mr Orengo appearing for the National Assembly.