Kenya – Third Attempt To Stop Kenya’s Deputy President Gachagua’s Impeachment Fails

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya

A third attempt to halt the impeachment motion against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has failed, as a three-judge bench from the Constitutional Division of the High Court declined to issue interim orders.

This comes as the first and second attempts by former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Cleophas Malalah and civil society group Sheria Mtaani failed.

The petition was filed by Caroline Wambui Mwangi against the Senate and National Assembly and seeks to stop the impeachment process.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi in a court statement ordered the application and petition be served by Monday.

“Responses to the Petition and Application be filed and served within 5 days. Any reply if need be filed within 3 days,” read the court documents.

The case will be mentioned on 9/10/2024 for further directions.

The accusations levelled against Gachagua include violation of Article 10 on the National Values and Principles of Governance on account of his public utterances which his accusers argue have been inciteful, reckless, inflammatory and capable of stirring ethnic hatred and disintegration.

Further, Deputy President Gachagua is also accused of violating articles 147, 148,174,186 and 189 which speak to his conduct and responsibility as the principal assistant to the President.

The Deputy President is also accused of corruptly and unlawfully acquiring assets using taxpayers’ money.