A political firestorm is brewing in Kenya after opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa publicly called for the resignation of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, branding his appointment unconstitutional and illegitimate.
This follows a decisive ruling by the Court of Appeal that overturned the initial formation of a three-judge panel tasked with overseeing the impeachment proceedings of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Wamalwa claimed that Kindiki’s ascension to the Deputy President’s office was procedurally flawed, stating, “You are illegally in office and, therefore, an illegitimate deputy president.
Do the honourable thing, Professor Kindiki, and resign.” Kalonzo added that the nation appears to be functioning with two deputy presidents a constitutional impossibility and emphasized that clarity and legality must be restored.
At the heart of the controversy is a legal technicality: the Court of Appeal nullified Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu’s move to appoint the three-judge bench that upheld Gachagua’s impeachment.
The court determined that the process violated fair trial principles, especially after allegations emerged accusing the judges in Kerugoya of bias and conflict of interest.
The ruling has effectively thrown the legitimacy of Gachagua’s impeachment and consequently Kindiki’s appointment into doubt.
The appellate court directed Chief Justice Martha Koome to appoint a fresh panel to hear Gachagua’s case anew, granting a 14-day timeline to initiate the process.
Legal experts now warn that if Gachagua’s impeachment is overturned in the new hearing, the legitimacy of Kindiki’s role could face even stronger constitutional challenges.
Meanwhile, Gachagua’s recent resignation from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and hints of forming a new political outfit have further complicated the landscape, raising speculation about his return to active leadership.
As tensions rise, all eyes now turn to Chief Justice Koome’s next move, which could reshape the country’s executive structure.
For now, the opposition remains firm: they believe Kindiki’s position is void, and only a lawful process can resolve the crisis threatening to fracture the heart of Kenya’s leadership.
By Kenyans