Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dropped two petitions he had filed to stop his impeachment. His legal team says the cases are no longer necessary.
This move comes as Gachagua chooses to concentrate on a more important legal battle—the post-impeachment case that could define his political future.
The withdrawn petitions were originally aimed at blocking Parliament from kicking him out of office.
But now, his lawyers argue that the key legal questions raised in those cases are already part of the ongoing case, making the earlier petitions irrelevant.
Ex-DP Gachagua Petitions Withdrawn After Court of Appeal Ruling
On Thursday, May 15, Gachagua’s lawyers formally asked the High Court to drop the two pre-impeachment petitions. The former deputy president filed these petitions in October last year when Parliament introduced a special motion to remove him from office on 11 charges.
These charges ranged from abuse of office to mismanagement of public funds. Gachagua, who now leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), believed the impeachment process was politically motivated. His initial legal strategy was to stop the National Assembly and Senate from debating and voting on the motion.
However, the legal landscape changed quickly. On May 9, the Court of Appeal overturned a decision by Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu. Mwilu had appointed three judges—Eric Ogolla, Anthony Murima, and Fred Mugambi—to handle the impeachment petitions.
Gachagua’s team opposed this, arguing that only the Chief Justice, Martha Koome, had the authority to create such a bench. The appellate court agreed with Gachagua. It ruled that the Chief Justice must personally appoint a bench to hear the case.
With this decision, Gachagua’s lawyers saw an opportunity to streamline the legal process. They withdrew the pre-impeachment cases and instead asked the High Court to forward the post-impeachment petition to Chief Justice Koome for action.
In their formal notice, the legal team wrote, “The conditional and legal issues raised in the above-mentioned pre-impeachment petitions are replicated in the post-impeachment petitions.” They requested the court to consider this overlap and treat the post-impeachment case as the main legal challenge going forward.
Political Stakes Still High for Gachagua
Even though Gachagua is no longer in office, his legal fight is far from over. The post-impeachment petition could determine whether the process that led to his removal was fair and constitutional. If the court finds faults in how Parliament handled the case, it could open the door for political or even legal consequences.
This case is not just about Gachagua’s personal reputation. It’s about the balance of power between the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. His legal team is pushing to have a full bench hear the matter, which shows they are aiming for a thorough and transparent review.
There’s also a wider political dimension. Since his removal, Gachagua has rebranded himself through the DCP party. Winning this case could boost his chances of a political comeback. Losing it might permanently damage his career.
The next steps depend on Chief Justice Martha Koome. If she agrees to empanel a new bench, the post-impeachment petition will move forward. If not, Gachagua may face a longer legal battle, possibly dragging on for months.
What the Gachagua Petitions Mean for Legal Procedure
The withdrawal of the Gachagua petitions highlights a bigger issue—how legal procedures around impeachment are managed in Kenya. The Court of Appeal’s ruling made it clear: only the Chief Justice can appoint judges to hear such sensitive cases.
This decision reinforces the importance of following proper legal channels, especially in high-stakes political matters. It also places more responsibility on the Chief Justice’s office. With this new precedent, other political leaders facing similar battles may look to this case as a guide.
Whether you agree with Gachagua or not, his case is now part of a growing conversation about the independence of Kenya’s judiciary.
His team’s move to focus on one strong petition instead of juggling multiple cases may prove to be a smarter legal strategy. It avoids confusion, reduces court delays, and allows judges to zero in on the key constitutional questions.
As the country waits for Chief Justice Koome’s next move, one thing is clear—the outcome of the post-impeachment case could have a lasting impact on both law and politics in Kenya.
