President Ruto Requests High Court to Drop Gachagua’s Impeachment Cases Over Jurisdiction Issues
In a bold move on Tuesday, October 22, President William Ruto challenged the jurisdiction of the High Court concerning the impeachment petitions filed by impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Ruto contends that such matters should fall under the purview of the Supreme Court, asserting that the High Court lacks the authority to adjudicate on this issue.
In a formal petition submitted to the High Court, Ruto requested the dismissal of Gachagua’s impeachment cases, which he claims are misfiled. “The Petition herein filed in this Honorable Court in clear disregard of the law, is an abuse of the due process of court, hence cannot be countenanced and determined by this Honorable Court,” reads part of Ruto’s petition, which was represented by lawyer Adrian Kamotho.
This legal development comes after Gachagua sought court intervention to block the swearing-in of Deputy President-nominee Kithure Kindiki.
Ruto, who has been named as the fifth respondent in this case, emphasizes that civil proceedings cannot be initiated against the President while in office, as stipulated by the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
The petitions challenging Gachagua’s impeachment and Kindiki’s nomination were filed by several petitioners, including Peter Kamotho, David Mathenge, and Grace Mwangi. They argue that the impeachment process was unconstitutional, fraught with procedural inconsistencies, and politically motivated. They have urged the court to halt Kindiki’s scheduled swearing-in until the issues are resolved.
Gachagua, present at the Milimani courts for the proceedings, faces a three-judge bench reviewing applications for stay orders on Kindiki’s appointment.
In a separate but alarming development, Gachagua recently alleged threats to his life, stating that he and his family are in danger. Speaking after his discharge from Karen Hospital on October 20, he claimed there were assassination attempts against him.
As the political landscape in Kenya continues to shift, this unfolding legal saga has significant implications for the future of the Ruto administration and the stability of its leadership.
In Other News: Kindiki’s Cryptic Warning To Mt. Kenya Senators Before Gachagua’s Ouster
President Ruto Requests High Court to Drop Gachagua’s Impeachment Cases Over Jurisdiction Issues
