Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has enlisted a formidable team of 20 lawyers to defend him against impending impeachment proceedings. The National Assembly has scheduled a special plenary sitting on Tuesday, October 8, where Gachagua will respond to charges threatening his position. This high-stakes event will see a concerted effort by his legal team to challenge the impeachment motion, which they claim lacks merit.
Legal Team to Defend Gachagua
The legal team spearheading Gachagua’s defense features Senior Counsel Paul Muite. Other notable members include Tom Macharia, Amos Kisilu, Elisha Ongoya, and Victor Ogeto. Their combined expertise aims to mount a robust defense against the impeachment motion initiated by a faction within the legislature.
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Gachagua argues that the motion violates the sovereign will of the Kenyan people, who elected him as their deputy president. He insists that the reasons for his impeachment do not meet the legal threshold required for such actions.
Allegations of Unfairness in the Impeachment Process
Deputy President Gachagua claims that some Members of Parliament publicly supported his impeachment before the motion was officially presented. He contends that this premature support undermines the fairness of the proceedings. Gachagua expresses concern about the impartiality of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and his deputy, Gladys Boss Shollei. He accuses them of making biased statements against him, raising questions about their ability to conduct a fair process.
Legitimacy of the Impeachment Motion
Gachagua’s legal team raises serious concerns about the public participation process in this impeachment case. They argue that the process allowed only two days for citizen engagement, which they assert is insufficient and violates constitutional requirements. According to the lawyers, this significant flaw undermines the legitimacy of the impeachment proceedings.
In addition to challenging the allegations against Gachagua, the lawyers call for the recusal of Speaker Wetangula and Deputy Speaker Shollei from the case. They believe both officials have previously expressed bias, which further jeopardizes the fairness of the proceedings.
Preparedness for Supreme Court Escalation
Gachagua’s legal team is prepared to escalate this matter to the Supreme Court if necessary. They pledge to contest the impeachment on multiple fronts, highlighting their commitment to ensuring a fair legal process.
