The High Court of Kenya has temporarily stopped Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki from taking office as deputy president, local media reported on Friday.
This ruling follows a case filed by David Mathenge and Peter Kamotho, who contested the senate's decision to remove Rigathi Gachagua from his position as deputy president. Earlier, Judge Chacha Mwita had already blocked the national assembly's decision to appoint Kindiki to replace impeached Gachagua.
The court also paused the senate’s resolution that upheld the impeachment of Gachagua. Judge Mwita reportedly stated that the case raises significant constitutional issues. The court has ordered that all legal documents be served and responded to within three days, and the case will be revisited on October 24, for further proceedings. Until then, Kindiki's appointment remains on hold.
Earlier, local media reported that Gachagua, who was removed from office following impeachment, has filed a lawsuit to challenge the appointment of the new deputy president.
On October 8, Kenya's lower chamber voted overwhelmingly with 281 out of 349 lawmakers to impeach Gachagua for alleged power abuse, surpassing the required two-thirds majority. The national assembly had charged Gachagua with 11 offenses, including corruption, undermining the government, and inciting ethnic hatred.
Gachagua's legal team has dismissed these charges as false and groundless, while witnesses, including lawmaker Mwengi Mutuse, accused Gachagua of constitutional violations.