The High Court in Nairobi rejected on Tuesday Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's request to halt the impeachment proceedings initiated against him by the country's parliament, African media reported.
In early October, Kenyan media reported that Gachagua appealed to the Nairobi High Court, asking to stop the proceedings. Judge Chacha Mwita reportedly said that the deputy president's bid raised substantial legal questions that required the creation of a bench to hear the case.
Now, Mwita ruled that the parliament would be allowed to continue with the impeachment proceedings and the High Court would not interfere, citing separation of powers, the Nation newspaper reported.
The next stage will be the consideration of the impeachment bid in the upper house of the Kenyan parliament on October 16-17.
Gachagua is reportedly accused of, among other things, corruption, insubordination, undermining the government and pursuing policies that promote ethnic divisions. The politician is also accused of having a net worth of $40 million, despite an annual salary of $93,000. Gachagua argued that his wealth comes solely from legitimate business deals and an inheritance from his late brother.