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Impeachment proceedings against Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have been temporarily suspended after he failed to appear before the senate on Thursday to defend himself against allegations of misconduct.

Gachagua’s lawyer, Paul Muite, said that the deputy president was unwell and, as such, was unable to appear before the lawmakers.

“The deputy president has been coming here absolutely punctually every day. The sad reality is that the deputy president of the Republic of Kenya has been taken sick, very sick, and, as I address this honorable house, senators, he is in hospital. That is the sad reality,” Muite told the senate.

Muite requested the senate speaker to allow him to go and assess Gachagua’s situation and make an informed decision after seeing the deputy president and a doctor.

The speaker of the senate, Amason Kingi, ruled that Gachagua should present himself before the house before 5:00 pm (local time), failure to which he will make a ruling on the way forward.