Janice R. Andrews
In a significant ruling, Nairobi’s High Court has maintained its right to hear cases challenging Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment process. The decision came after President William Ruto’s team contested the court’s jurisdiction, claiming such matters belonged exclusively to the Supreme Court.
Justice Freda Mugambi rejected this argument, establishing that both the High Court and Supreme Court share authority over impeachment cases. She underscored that impeachment proceedings, being constitutional in nature, fall within the High Court’s scope of review.
The case arose from Gachagua’s petition to stop his impeachment and block former Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki from potentially replacing him. The ruling solidifies the High Court’s position in handling major constitutional issues, particularly those involving impeachment proceedings of high-ranking officials.
The decision notably affirms that constitutional review powers are not restricted to the Supreme Court alone, marking an important precedent for Kenya’s judicial framework in handling high-level political disputes.
