Kenyan Court Upholds Gachagua Impeachment, Deals Blow to Presidential Ambitions

Kenya’s High Court has upheld the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, delivering a significant legal and political setback that could derail his ambitions of contesting future elections.

In a landmark ruling spanning more than 350 pages, a three-member panel of judges dismissed multiple legal challenges brought by Gachagua against his removal from office in 2024, affirming that the impeachment process was constitutionally valid despite procedural flaws identified during the Senate proceedings.

The judgment effectively bars Gachagua from holding public office, a consequence that could severely weaken his political influence ahead of Kenya’s next electoral cycle.

Although the court found that the Senate violated Gachagua’s constitutional rights by refusing to adjourn proceedings after he reportedly fell ill, the judges ruled that the violation was insufficient to invalidate the impeachment process.

Instead, the court awarded the former deputy president 50 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $386,000) in compensation for the breach of his rights.

The ruling represents the latest chapter in the dramatic collapse of the political alliance between Gachagua and President William Ruto, whose joint ticket secured victory in the fiercely contested 2022 presidential election.

Gachagua’s removal from office followed months of escalating tensions with the president and culminated in overwhelming support from lawmakers who accused him of corruption, inciting ethnic divisions and undermining government operations.

Challenging his impeachment, Gachagua argued that the accusations were politically motivated and lacked credible evidence. He also maintained that he had been denied a fair hearing during the Senate trial.

However, the court rejected those arguments and further validated the appointment of Kithure Kindiki as deputy president, effectively closing another avenue through which Gachagua had hoped to overturn the political outcome.

The former deputy president was absent from court when the judgment was delivered, though members of his legal team immediately announced plans to appeal the verdict.

The ruling comes amid a changing political landscape in Kenya, where Gachagua has transformed himself into one of the most vocal critics of the Ruto administration.

Since his removal, he has embarked on an aggressive political campaign across the Mount Kenya region, the country's most influential voting bloc and traditional stronghold of the Kikuyu community.

Ahead of the judgment, Gachagua appealed for calm among his supporters, saying he was prepared for any outcome while expressing hope that justice would prevail.

He urged his followers to channel their frustrations through democratic means, calling on them to “express their anger at the ballot box” during future elections.

Political analysts say the verdict could reshape the dynamics ahead of Kenya’s next presidential contest, particularly within the Mount Kenya region, where Gachagua continues to command considerable grassroots support despite his impeachment.

His downfall also unfolded against the backdrop of nationwide anti-government protests that shook Kenya last year. Demonstrators angered by proposed tax increases stormed parliament and clashed with security forces in some of the most serious unrest witnessed under President Ruto’s administration.

Although the government later withdrew the controversial tax measures, public dissatisfaction over the cost of living and economic hardship has remained a persistent challenge, creating fertile ground for opposition voices such as Gachagua to gain traction.