Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was absent from court on Monday as a three-judge bench delivered its ruling on petitions challenging his impeachment from office.
According to reports, the court declined an application seeking to postpone the judgment and proceeded with the delivery of the verdict.
Reports indicate that the application for adjournment had been made by lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui, representing petitioner Enock Aura, whose case formed part of the consolidated petitions challenging Gachagua’s removal from office.
Gachagua misses court as the ruling is delivered
The ruling marks the latest chapter in a legal battle stemming from Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024, which made him the first deputy president in Kenya’s history to be removed from office through the constitutional impeachment process.
The former DP was impeached by the National Assembly on October 8, 2024, before the Senate upheld his removal on October 17 after considering 11 charges brought against him.
The accusations were broadly grouped into three categories: gross violation of the constitution, commission of crimes under national and international law, and gross misconduct.
However, Gachagua did not accept his impeachment as he moved to court to challenge it.
The former deputy president later abandoned his initial attempt to regain the office and instead shifted focus to seeking financial compensation and the restoration of benefits associated with the position.
He is seeking more than Sh80 million in compensation and damages from the government arising from his impeachment.
