The High Court on Monday delivered its long-awaited judgment on petitions contesting the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, bringing to a close months of intense legal arguments over one of Kenya's most consequential political disputes.
Despite the significance of the ruling, Gachagua did not attend the proceedings at the Milimani Law Courts, leaving his legal team to represent him before the three-judge bench that handled the matter.
The judges proceeded with the verdict after declining requests to postpone the decision, signaling the court's determination to conclude the case after extensive hearings and submissions from all parties involved.
The petitions challenged the legality of Gachagua's impeachment by Parliament in October 2024, with his lawyers maintaining that the process violated constitutional safeguards and denied him a fair hearing. They argued that both the National Assembly and the Senate failed to adhere to the standards of due process required under the Constitution.
Although the former deputy president skipped the session, a number of his political allies were present in court to witness the outcome, highlighting the political significance of the case as Kenya's leaders continue positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The judgment is expected to shape future interpretations of Kenya's impeachment procedures and strengthen jurisprudence on constitutional accountability for holders of high public office.
