Senate Speaker Kingi Rejects Gachagua’s Bid to Halt Impeachment Tria

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has dismissed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s efforts to block his impeachment trial, asserting that no court injunction will prevent the Senate from proceeding with the debate.Kingi firmly ruled out the possibility that legal orders could interfere with the trial. His statement comes as Justice Chacha Mwita prepares to issue a verdict on Gachagua’s latest attempt to halt the Senate’s proceedings, which are scheduled to begin today. The speaker emphasized that the Senate would continue with the process despite ongoing legal battles.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice Martha Koome has appointed a three-judge bench—comprising Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima, and Dr. Freda Mugambi—to hear six petitions challenging the impeachment. Gachagua’s legal team argues that the process is flawed, highlighting insufficient public participation and inconsistencies in the data presented to Parliament. They also contend that the Deputy President was denied a fair opportunity to respond to the 11 charges brought against him.

However, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has accused Gachagua of using the impeachment proceedings as a political strategy in preparation for the 2027 elections.Legal analysts warn that the Senate's decision to push forward with the impeachment could establish a critical precedent. Justice Lawrence Mugambi noted last week that this is the first time in Kenyan history that the impeachment of a sitting Deputy President has been considered.