Kenya’s judicial system has ruled against halting the Senate’s impending vote regarding the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The parliamentary vote to impeach Gachagua last week was based on allegations of fostering ethnic tensions, embezzlement, and undermining the government. This decision sets the stage for the Senate to deliberate on his potential removal from office on Wednesday and Thursday.
Numerous legal challenges aimed at blocking the impeachment have been unsuccessful thus far. In one court session, Justice Chacha Mwita referred a matter to the chief justice for the appointment of a panel of judges to render a definitive ruling. Concurrently, another panel of judges opted not to enforce a gag order on parliament, indicating they would provide a full ruling on the legality of Gachagua’s impeachment on Wednesday morning, coinciding with the Senate discussions.
Gachagua has contended that the impeachment motion is founded on falsehoods, describing it as a “political lynching” in court filings. As a key supporter of President William Ruto during the 2022 elections, Gachagua was instrumental in garnering votes from the influential central Kenya region. However, he has recently voiced concerns about being sidelined, with emerging reports suggesting a growing rift between him and Ruto as political dynamics shift.
Following nationwide protests against tax hikes that resulted in more than 50 fatalities, President Ruto made significant changes to his cabinet, incorporating members of the opposition. Despite these developments, Ruto has remained silent on the ongoing impeachment proceedings against his deputy.