Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been handed a significant reprieve in his impeachment fight after the High Court referred five cases challenging the process to Chief Justice Martha Koome. The court directed that a special bench be constituted to hear the constitutional matters raised by Gachagua’s legal team.
The cases focus on concerns over the legality of the impeachment process, with Gachagua’s defense arguing that it violated constitutional provisions and did not follow due process. The High Court’s move indicates the seriousness of these issues, giving the Deputy President’s team more time to make their case.
Chief Justice Koome is now expected to appoint a bench of judges to review the cases, which will address the weighty constitutional questions at the heart of the impeachment process. This decision temporarily halts the Senate’s final vote on Gachagua’s removal from office, providing him with a much-needed window of opportunity.
The decision comes at a crucial time for Gachagua, who faces mounting pressure over his impeachment. The Senate had been set to vote on the matter, but the High Court’s ruling may delay the proceedings until the legal issues are resolved.
Observers note that while the referral is a victory for Gachagua, the legal process is far from over. The court’s ruling will set a significant precedent in the interpretation of the Constitution concerning the impeachment of high-ranking public officials.
For the moment, Gachagua has gained some breathing room in his fight to remain in office. However, the battle is far from over, as his fate now lies in the hands of the judiciary and the outcome of the forthcoming constitutional review.
By Kenyans