The impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as “broken heart” syndrome.

This condition causes a temporary weakening of the heart’s main pumping chamber, the left ventricle, often triggered by severe emotional or physical stress. Symptoms can include chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations.

Gachagua encountered “intense chest pains” on October 17 and was taken to Karen Hospital shortly before he was to be interrogated in the Senate where his impeachment trial was ongoing.

According to his doctor, Dan Gikonyo, needed a 72-hour observation period due to the diagnosis.

“He was admitted with severe chest pain, and we are running tests, including ECGs. He is stable for now,” Dr Gikonyo said.

Gachagua was impeached by the senate after being found guilty on five of the eleven charges brought against him by the National Assembly.

These charges included making controversial remarks about government shareholding, undermining the independence of judges, breaching his oath of office, violating the National Cohesion and Integration Act, and attacking the National Intelligence Service

Immediately after he was Impeached, President William Ruto nominated Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki to replace him.

The National Assembly voted in favor of Kithure Kindiki’s nomination as the new Deputy President to replace Rigathi Gachagua. Kindiki received overwhelming support from the MPs, with 236 voting in favor. However, the High Court  issued a temporary order halting Kindiki’s appointment after Gachagua filed a petition challenging his impeachment.

Gachagua’s Senior Counsel Paul Muite and lawyer Elisha Ongoya, presented a petition to halt his impeachment. They argued that the impeachment process was flawed, citing procedural irregularities and a lack of public participation.

The hearing is still ongoing at the High Court.