A Kenyan court has ruled that the impeachment proceedings against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua are constitutional, paving the way for the Senate to hold hearings and vote on his potential removal later this week.
The National Assembly voted last Tuesday to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges, including corruption, undermining the government, and inciting ethnic tensions. Gachagua has firmly denied all allegations.
According to court documents seen by media, Gachagua described the impeachment as a politically motivated attack, supported by opposition lawmakers and allies of President William Ruto, based on fabricated claims. He filed an appeal to challenge the proceedings, but Judge Erick Ogolla ruled that the Senate trial could proceed.
“At this stage, the process is a lawful, constitutional process. The Senate will conduct a trial, and the issues raised before the court will be addressed and determined in due course,” Judge Ogolla said.
Gachagua, who was Ruto’s running mate in their successful 2022 election campaign, helped secure critical support from Kenya’s central region. However, relations between the two leaders have since soured, and political alliances have shifted. Ruto has since reshuffled his cabinet, bringing opposition members into what he calls a unity government following nationwide protests against tax hikes, which resulted in over 50 deaths.
The Senate is expected to begin hearings on Wednesday, with a vote scheduled for Thursday. A two-thirds majority will be required to remove Gachagua from office.