CJ Koome Finally Addresses Court Battle Over Gachagua’s Impeachment
Chief Justice Martha Koome, on Tuesday, October 22, broke her silence regarding the ongoing court cases surrounding Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment. For weeks, her absence from the discussion had sparked widespread speculation.
However, Koome made a rare public appearance during a visit to the Makadara Law Courts, where she finally addressed the matter.
A video circulating online shows CJ Koome interacting with court staff, as well as members of the public, when one individual took the opportunity to ask her directly about Gachagua’s case.
The CJ’s response was measured, and she appeared to sidestep the controversy. “That is a case that is with the High Court. It has not gotten to me yet,” she said, indicating that the case has not reached her jurisdiction as Chief Justice.
Koome’s remarks came on the same day it was revealed that she had recently been out of the country, leaving Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu to constitute a three-judge bench to hear the legal challenge against Gachagua’s ouster.
This move by Mwilu had raised eyebrows among Gachagua’s legal team, who argued that the appointment of the bench without CJ Koome’s express consent was problematic. Senior counsel Paul Muite remarked, “It is unclear as to circumstances that led to the placement of the file to this bench on a Saturday without the express directions of the Chief Justice on the composition of a bench.”
Gachagua’s team also questioned the swift filing of the petition from Kerugoya, suggesting potential interference. “The file came in at 4 pm, and within no time, the DCJ appointed a three-judge bench to hear an application by the State,” a source close to the legal proceedings noted.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto’s legal team also weighed in, questioning the High Court’s authority to handle Gachagua’s impeachment cases. The President requested that the cases be escalated to the Supreme Court.
As the nation waits for the next developments, Gachagua is expected to learn his fate on Wednesday, October 23, when the three-judge bench will decide whether to withdraw from hearing the impeachment cases.
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CJ Koome Finally Addresses Court Battle Over Gachagua’s Impeachment
