On Thursday, October 3, 2024, Gachagua filed a petition in the High Court, seeking to stop Parliament from proceeding with the impeachment motion. He argues that the accusations against him are baseless and driven by political enemies.
The impeachment motion was formally introduced last week by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse. It alleges that Gachagua has violated various constitutional provisions and has been involved in corrupt activities.
One of the key accusations is that the Deputy President has illegally acquired personal wealth amounting to Sh5.2 billion during his two years in office.
In his court filings, Gachagua strongly denies the charges. He insists that the claims are part of a political conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his reputation and undermining his position in government.
"The allegations made against me are false and meant to mislead the public," he said in his statement. He added that those pushing for his impeachment are motivated by political rivalry rather than a genuine interest in justice.
According to Gachagua, no thorough investigation has been conducted into the accusations against him. His legal team is arguing that the impeachment motion is premature and unconstitutional, as it is based on unproven claims.
The Deputy President has expressed concerns that his right to a fair hearing, as guaranteed by the constitution, is being violated by the ongoing process.
In the petition, Gachagua's lawyers have requested the court to issue an injunction that would prevent Parliament from proceeding with the impeachment.
They are asking that the impeachment process be suspended until the court has fully heard and determined the case. The Deputy President’s legal team is confident that the court will rule in his favor and halt the motion.
The impeachment motion has gained considerable momentum in the National Assembly, with over 291 MPs reportedly signing in support of it.
This figure is significantly higher than the required 117 signatures needed to initiate the process. If the motion passes in both the National Assembly and the Senate, Gachagua could be removed from office.
Gachagua’s decision to seek legal intervention is widely seen as a move to buy time and delay the impeachment process. By going to court, the Deputy President hopes to rally more support from within his political coalition, Kenya Kwanza, and weaken the push for his removal.
Political analysts believe that if the court grants Gachagua’s request, it could stall the impeachment vote for several weeks, giving him more time to strategize.
However, the impeachment motion has already exposed deep divisions within the ruling party. Some members of Kenya Kwanza have openly criticized the impeachment process, while others have backed the motion, leading to internal strife.
The court’s ruling on the petition will be closely watched as it could have a significant impact on Gachagua’s political future.
In his defense, Gachagua maintains that he has not accumulated illegal wealth during his time in office. He accuses his political opponents of using false narratives to destroy his image and challenge his role as Deputy President.
"I have done nothing wrong, and these allegations are politically motivated," he emphasized.
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