Kenya’s High Court ruled on Friday that the impeachment case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua should be referred to the Chief Justice, citing the high public interest surrounding the matter.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi called for the creation of a panel of three judges to examine Gachagua’s petition challenging his impeachment. This decision comes after Kenya’s parliament voted on Tuesday to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges, including allegations of self-enrichment and inciting ethnic hatred.
Gachagua has vehemently denied all allegations, describing the impeachment motion as a “choreographed political lynching” based on falsehoods, according to court documents reviewed by Reuters.
The Senate is scheduled to debate the charges and vote on Gachagua’s dismissal next week. The impeachment process has highlighted growing tensions within Kenya’s ruling coalition, with Gachagua’s rift with President William Ruto becoming increasingly public following deadly protests earlier this year over proposed tax increases and rising living costs.
Gachagua sparked controversy by comparing the government to a company and suggesting that coalition voters should have priority for public-sector jobs and development projects. These comments are cited in the impeachment motion as “highly inflammatory.”
The push to remove Gachagua from office has divided public opinion in Kenya. Some citizens argue that parliament should prioritize economic issues over political maneuvering, while others call for both Ruto and Gachagua to step down.
President Ruto has not yet commented publicly on the impeachment proceedings against his deputy.
