Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua has faced another political hurdle after the High Court declined to stop the impeachment motion set to be tabled against him.
In a ruling on September 30, Justice Bahati Mamuye declined to grant an interim order after the former United Democratic Alliance UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala filed a petition seeking to block the motion.
Malala filed the petition alongside other allies of Gachagua on Monday, September 30, 2024.
“Before this Court is the Certificate of Urgency dated 30/09/2024 signed by the Counsel Peter Mwenda Njagi, the Chamber Summons dated 30/09/2024, and the Supporting Affidavit of the Petitioner/Applicant, Cleophas Wakhungu Malalah, dated 30/09/2024; all of which were filed alongside a Petition dated 30/09/2024,” part of the petition read.
Court issues further directions for Gachagua’s impeachment
The petitioners were directed to serve the Chamber Summons, their Petition, and the Court Order on the Respondents and the interested parties by close of business on September 30.
The court further directed the petitioners to file an Affidavit of Service in that regard by the end of September 30.
Also Read: Gachagua Responds to Claims of Banging the Table & Demanding Ksh8 Billion
Additionally, the court directed the petitioners to file and serve a rejoinder, if need be, by close of business on October 3.
According to the court, the matter shall be mentioned on September 7 for further directions and/or issuance of orders.
The ruling allows Members of the National Assembly to proceed with Gachagua’s impeachment motion, which is set to be tabled on Tuesday, October 1, on the floor of the National Assembly.
Elsewhere, Justice Chacha Mwita, declined petition filed by Sheria Mtaani lobby group seeking interim orders to block Gachagua’s impeachment.
Mwita instead slated the mention for October 9.
Why MPS want Gachagua impeached
Among the charges is allegedly threatening the President by demanding a Ksh 8 billion exit package for delivering Mount Kenya votes to President William Ruto.
The DP also faces nine additional charges outlined in a 40-page impeachment motion, including amassing Ksh 5.7 billion over the past two years from undisclosed sources, aside from his Ksh 12 million annual salary.
Gachagua is also accused of misuse of his office to divert materials intended for the Malindi-Kilifi highway toward the construction of a private hotel in Kilifi linked to him.
Also Read: Kimani Ichung’wah Confirms Gachagua’s Impeachment
He is further accused of leaking state secrets despite having taken an oath of secrecy and of threatening, intimidating, and publicly criticizing state officials, including MPs and National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji.
Other charges include sponsoring goons to disrupt the Gen-Z demonstrations in June and July, endangering national security.
Additional charges involve promoting tribalism through his “shareholder” rhetoric and pushing for the “one man, one vote, one shilling” revenue distribution model.
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