Kenyan court stops replacement of Rigathi Gachagua as deputy president
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is ushered in the Senate, Parliament Buildings Nairobi on Thursday, October 17, 2024 during the second day of his impeachment.
UPDATE:Â The High Court has issued temporary orders stopping replacement of Rigathi Gachagua as Deputy President until October 24 when the matter will be mentioned before a bench to be appointed by Chief Justice Koome.
Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has moved to court to challenge his removal from office by Parliament.
Through lawyer Paul Muite, Mr Gachagua further sought court orders to stop President William Ruto from nominating his successor, pending the determination of his case.
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Mr 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," he said.Â
Mr 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.
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He maintains that the evidence relied on forming the basis for his impeachment was insufficient.
"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," said Muite.
