Security tight in and outside Parliament amid DP trial

 Security has been tightened in and out of Parliament ahead of the impeachment trial of embattled Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

A spot check by the Star showed heavy deployment of police officers around the parliament precinct.

The uniformed and plainclothes officers are manning the precinct with any authorised person denied access.

Parliament Road has been rendered a no-go zone with barriers erected to bar motorists and pedestrians.

Access to City Hall Way and Harambee Avenue has also been restricted as the officers move to secure parliament.

The impeachment hearing of the DP has begun at the Senate.

Gachagua is facing a historic moment as the 67-member Senate begins hearing his proposed motion for removal from office by impeachment.

The Senate has scheduled a two-day marathon to hear and ultimately determine Gachagua's fate after the National Assembly passed his impeachment motion last week.

With the sword of Damocles hanging over his head as he heads to the Senate, Gachagua could be living on borrowed time as the country's second in command.

His anticipated removal from office has triggered intense lobbying within the corridors of power with sources aware of the intrigues saying Gachagua's replacement could be named before Mashujaa Day on October 20.

Insiders say Gachagua is heavily banking on the divisions in the ruling Kenya Kwanza alliance and the cracks that have permeated the Azimio coalition to rescue his political career at the Senate.

Gachagua needs at least 23 senators to survive his ouster.

He would be deemed to have been removed from office if at least 45 of the 67 senators voted to uphold any of the 11 charges against him.

An impeachment would confine Gachagua out of public service for life as he would be considered unfit to hold such office in line with the leadership and integrity law.

The DP is expected to take to the stand at the Senate on Thursday to counter the charges against him.