Impeached former DP Gachagua move to court to overturn his ouster
Impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has moved to court to challenge his removal from office by Parliament.
Through lawyer Paul Muite, Gachagua further sought court orders to stop president William Ruto from nominating his successor, pending the determination of his case.
However, already, president Ruto has nominated Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to replace and announcement made today morning by Speaker Moses Wetangula in a communication to the National Assembly.
Voting to approve Kindiki’s nomination as DP is currently underway in the National Assembly.
Gachagua has challenged the entire process that led to his removal arguing that the charges levelled against are baseless and the evidence tabled before Parliament was insufficient.
“Unfounded and false allegations have been made against me in the impeachment motion before both houses. It would be in the interest of justice that such false information be corrected in line with the provisions of article 35 of the constitution.” Gachagua say in documents filed in court.
Gachagua says the Senate was required by law to act as an impartial arbitrator in considering whether the charges before it have been substantiated or not.
He maintains that the evidence relied on forming the basis for his impeachment was insufficient.
Gachagua has also sought an order blocking the National Assembly from vetting and approving the nomination of the person submitted by the president to fill the vacancy in the office of the Deputy President.
“It would be prejudicial to my client to allow the respondents gazette his removal by way of impeachment in a manner that stands contrary to basic constitutional provisions before this petition is heard and determined.” Muite said.
