Kenyan crisis becomes more dramatic by the day. From street protests to impeachment of the deputy president. Now, the court has stepped in, exacerbating the whole problem.
A Kenyan High Court has faulted the process that threw up the new deputy president of that country. The parliament sacked the deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, on Thursday. President William Ruto picked his Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as replacement.
Gachagua was accused of stirring ethnic hatred and undermining the judiciary. He has since denied the charges and vowed to fight in court.
Analysts suggest that Kindiki’s appointment could help Ruto consolidate power. His authority has been shaken by recent anti-government demonstrations. This marks the biggest test of Ruto’s two-year presidency.
Court intervention in Kenyan crisis
However, a twist in this Kenyan crisis occurred when the High Court suspended the appointment process. This happened within minutes of parliament’s vote to approve Kindiki. Gachagua’s legal team filed a case alleging that the ouster was unfair and rushed. The court acknowledged that “monumental constitutional issues” were at stake. As a result, Kindiki cannot take office until a bench hears the case on October 24.
Simultaneously, Kindiki’s appointment was published in the government gazette. This step is necessary for his swearing-in. It leaves uncertainty regarding the next moves from both sides.
Impeachment Details
Ruto has not publicly commented on the impeachment. Yet, Gachagua claims that the process could not have happened without the president’s approval. The Senate pushed ahead with the impeachment, finding Gachagua guilty of five out of eleven charges. He was absent during the proceedings due to health issues.
Gachagua was in a Nairobi hospital with severe chest pains. A cardiologist later reported that he was stable but needed observation for 72 hours. His absence caused disarray in the Senate session. The Senate rejected an appeal to delay the hearings, prompting Gachagua’s lawyers to walk out in protest.
Political Fallout
Gachagua is the first deputy president to face impeachment under Kenya’s revised 2010 constitution.The National Assembly had also voted overwhelmingly for his impeachment earlier in October. This downfall culminates from a bitter falling out with Ruto. Gachagua had been instrumental in rallying support for Ruto in the 2022 election.
Kindiki, who has served as Interior Minister for over two years, also hails from the influential Mount Kenya region. Gachagua was found guilty of “gross violation” of the constitution. Charges included threatening judges and promoting ethnic divisiveness. However, he was cleared of corruption and money laundering.
Gachagua has denied all allegations. He is a powerful businessman from the Kikuyu tribe. Recently, he complained that Ruto sidelined him. He also faced accusations of supporting youth-led anti-government protests that erupted in June.
Leave feedback about this