In a significant legal development, Kenya’s High Court ruled on Friday that the case challenging the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua should be referred to the Chief Justice for further review. This decision comes after the Kenyan parliament voted earlier in the week to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges, including allegations of self-enrichment and inciting ethnic hatred. Gachagua has vehemently denied all accusations, dismissing the case as “absurd.”
The charges, which will now be debated by the Senate next week, mark a crucial moment in Kenya’s political landscape. According to court documents reviewed by Reuters, Gachagua described the impeachment motion as part of a “choreographed political lynching” aimed at discrediting him. He maintains that the allegations are based on falsehoods and designed to tarnish his reputation.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi, who presided over the initial hearings, referred the case to Chief Justice Martha Koome, urging her to form a panel of three judges to carefully assess Gachagua’s petition. Mugambi emphasized the high public interest surrounding the case, which has drawn widespread attention across the country.
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The rift between Gachagua and President William Ruto, once close political allies, has widened since a series of deadly protests erupted earlier this year over rising taxes and the escalating cost of living. Gachagua’s comments, in which he likened the government to a company and implied that those who supported the ruling coalition should have priority access to public-sector jobs and development projects, have sparked outrage. These remarks are cited in the impeachment motion as “highly inflammatory,” further fueling the political storm surrounding the deputy president.
While President Ruto has remained silent on the impeachment proceedings, the push to oust Gachagua has left Kenyans divided. Some citizens argue that parliament should be prioritizing economic recovery rather than engaging in political battles, while others are calling for both Ruto and Gachagua to step down.
As the nation awaits the Senate’s decision and the Chief Justice’s review, the outcome of this case could have lasting implications for Kenya’s political future.
