High Court Halts Senate's Resolution to Impeach Deputy President Gachagua

The High Court has suspended the Senate’s decision to approve impeachment charges against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. 

The ruling was delivered shortly after the National Assembly confirmed the nomination of Kithure Kindiki as the new Deputy President, following President William Ruto's submission of his name to Parliament.

Yesterday, Senators approved five out of eleven charges against Gachagua, leading to his removal from office. Gachagua did not appear before the Senate to defend himself, as his legal team reported that he was hospitalized due to "severe chest pains."

The ruling, issued by Justice E.C. Mwita, prevents the implementation of the Senate’s decision and blocks the President from appointing a replacement for Gachagua until October 24, when the case will be heard by a panel of judges selected by Chief Justice Martha Koome.

Despite this, President Ruto has already put forward Kindiki's name to succeed Gachagua, and the National Assembly has approved the nomination. 

Earlier today, all 236 MPs present in Parliament voted unanimously to confirm the nomination of Professor Kithure Kindiki as the new Deputy President. This followed President Ruto’s submission of Kindiki's name to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang'ula, recommending him for the position.

The Deputy President’s seat was left vacant after Gachagua’s removal through the constitutional process. 

The final step now is for the Speaker to publish the decision in the official Government Gazette.