Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s efforts to defend his political future received a setback on Friday, January 30, after the Supreme Court dismissed his bid to halt ongoing impeachment proceedings in the High Court.
Gachagua has framed the legal battles as part of a broader fight to clear his name and preserve his eligibility for the 2027 presidential race. However, a five-judge Supreme Court bench among them Chief Justice Martha Koome and Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwil ruled that it could not intervene in High Court proceedings, noting its authority is limited to cases before the Court of Appeal.
“The first omnibus application by Hon. Gachagua is dismissed for the reasons that the Supreme Court can only stay proceedings before the Court of Appeal and not the High Court as prayed for,” the court stated.
Gachagua’s legal challenge initially questioned the Deputy Chief Justice’s authority in assigning judges and sought to disqualify the bench citing alleged bias. Both the High Court and the Court of Appeal rejected these claims, affirming that the judges acted lawfully and that there was insufficient evidence to warrant their removal.
The Supreme Court also dismissed two applications filed by Gachagua seeking to stay proceedings and remove certain documents, ruling that these materials were essential for the determination of the appeal and cross-appeal.
Despite the setback, Gachagua remains publicly committed to clearing his name and contesting the political narrative ahead of 2027. His team has emphasized that the legal battles are a necessary step in protecting his reputation and maintaining his ability to participate in Kenya’s highest political contests.