The political drama surrounding former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has taken a fresh turn after the High Court postponed his impeachment hearing to December 16, 2025.
A three-judge bench led by Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima, and Freda Mugambi announced the decision on Tuesday, citing ongoing appeals that question the legality of the team hearing the case. The delay marks another chapter in the prolonged legal and political showdown between Gachagua and the state following his ouster from office nearly a year ago.
Gachagua’s legal team, led by lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, argued that the pending appeal at the Court of Appeal would directly affect the validity and progress of the current hearing. The appeal challenges Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu’s authority to appoint the bench, raising fundamental questions about jurisdiction and judicial procedure.
Gachagua’s Impeachment Hearing Faces New Delay Amid Legal Battles
During the court session at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, Justice Freda Mugambi acknowledged the complexity of the overlapping legal matters, noting that proceeding before the appeal’s conclusion could compromise the integrity of the process.
“In light of the pending matters before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, we hereby vacate the earlier dates that had been fixed for submissions,” Justice Mugambi stated.
Her comments reflected the judiciary’s careful approach to a case that has become deeply entangled with constitutional questions and political implications.
The Court of Appeal had earlier suspended more than 40 petitions related to Gachagua’s impeachment, underscoring the ripple effect the former deputy president’s legal fight has had across the judiciary.
Gachagua’s Defense Calls the Process Politically Driven
Gachagua has consistently maintained that his removal from office was orchestrated to silence him politically following his fallout with President William Ruto in late 2024.
His defense has described the impeachment process as flawed, claiming that it was rushed and lacked adequate public participation. “We are seeking a way forward on whether the court would proceed during the continuation of that matter. The outcome of the appeal would have a serious impact on the matters before you,” Njiru told the judges.
The former DP was impeached by the Senate in October 2024 after being found guilty of several charges, including alleged corruption, abuse of office, and misconduct. He has since dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, saying the impeachment was part of a wider scheme to tarnish his reputation and sideline him from active politics.
Power Struggles Define the High-Stakes Legal Showdown
Gachagua’s impeachment was one of the most dramatic political moments in Kenya’s recent history, with the Senate vote sealing his fate after a heated motion first passed in the National Assembly.
His ouster widened the political rift within the ruling coalition, which had already been shaken by internal wrangles and accusations of betrayal among top leaders. Analysts believe that the delays in the case only deepen public doubts about whether justice will eventually be served—or if politics will again dictate the outcome.
The legal uncertainty also raises questions about the limits of judicial authority in politically charged cases. The challenge to Deputy Chief Justice Mwilu’s powers to appoint a bench could set a precedent affecting future high-profile political trials.
December Hearing May Decide Gachagua’s Political Future
The next court session, now scheduled for December 16, is expected to determine the way forward depending on the outcome of the pending appeals.
If the Court of Appeal upholds the legitimacy of the bench, the High Court could resume hearing the substantive issues surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment. However, if the appellate judges find procedural flaws in the bench’s formation, the case could face yet another delay or even a complete reset.
For Gachagua, the stakes could not be higher. A favorable ruling might revive his political career, while an unfavorable one could permanently seal his exit from high office.
Nearly a year after his dramatic removal, Kenya’s former second-in-command remains in legal limbo, his political fate hanging on court decisions that continue to test the balance between law and politics in the country.
