By Abiola Olawale
The political crisis rocking Kenya has escalated as a High Court has granted an interim order halting the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua as the country’s Deputy President.
The court gave the ruling following a petition initiated by Gachagua, citing “monumental constitutional issues.”
Gachagua, on Friday, approached the court to halt the implementation of his impeachment. Presiding Judge Chacha Mwita ruled to temporarily pause the impeachment process pending a hearing and determination of the petition.
The court also suspended the appointment of a new deputy president, which had already seen Kenya’s President William Ruto nominate Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki.
Judge Mwita highlighted the constitutional significance of the case, stating: “I am satisfied that the petition raises fundamental constitutional issues concerning the rule of law and human rights.”
The case is set to be reviewed on October 24, when a bench appointed by the Chief Justice will address the matter.
It would be recalled that a total of 281 MPs voted in favour of the impeachment of Gachagua, while 44 MPs voted against it. One MP abstained from voting.
During a tense session on Thursday, the Senate found Gachagua guilty on five out of the 11 charges levelled against him.
The charges included involvement in corruption, money laundering, insubordination, ethnic divisiveness, and undermining the government.
The 59-year-old deputy president’s impeachment follows a similar vote by the National Assembly last week, where the motion to remove him from office was overwhelmingly passed.
Gachagua, who has consistently denied the accusations, was unable to testify in his defence after being hospitalized with severe chest pains. Despite his absence, the Senate proceeded with the vote.
The impeachment process unfolded amidst a backdrop of intense political scrutiny and public discourse in Kenya.
It would be recalled that in June, amid the deadly protest that broke out in Kenya, Gachagua had blamed the head of the intelligence agency for not properly briefing President William Ruto and the government over the magnitude of mass protests against unpopular tax hikes.
Gachagua had attributed the violence and unrest to alleged intelligence shortcomings from the head of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Noordin Haji.
It would be recalled that Kenya suffered a deadly crisis after the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition failed to heed calls to reject the controversial 2024 Finance Bill.
Several youths took to the streets to protest a clause inserted in the Finance Bill which seeks to raise revenues through taxes.
