Kenya’s Chief Justice Finally Breaks Silence On DP Gachagua Impeachment Case
Chief Justice Martha Koome broke her silence on Tuesday, October 22, regarding the court cases challenging Rigathi Gachagua‘s impeachment.
In the midst of uncertainty over her prolonged silence, Koome made a rare public appearance on Tuesday afternoon, visiting the Makadara Law Courts.
A video posted on X showed the CJ interacting with staff, and at one point during the interaction, a member of the public challenged her to speak about Gachagua’s legal proceedings.
CJ Koome responded by dismissing the issue and stating that the case was currently outside of her jurisdiction.
“That is a case that is with the High Court. It has not gotten to me yet.”
I visited Makadara Law Courts this afternoon to gauge the security improvements and efficiency of service to the people.
— Hon. Justice Martha K. Koome, FCIArb, EGH (@CJMarthaKoome) October 22, 2024
As we conclude preparations to issue the State of the Judiciary and Administration of Justice Report, we are cognisant of the milestones realised in the FY… pic.twitter.com/ZDMqQD5OLD
Koome’s public appearance comes after it was revealed on Tuesday that she had flown out of the country sometime in the previous week, prompting Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu to form a three-judge bench to hear the case challenging Gachagua’s ouster.
Earlier in the day, Gachagua’s legal team spent a significant amount of time questioning whether Mwilu had the authority to appoint the bench, claiming that only CJ Koome did.
“It is unclear as to circumstances that led to the placement of the file to this bench on a Saturday without the express directions of the Chief Justice on the composition of a bench,” Senior counsel Paul Muite observed.
The DP also read malice into how a petition file arrived from Kerugoya at 4 p.m., only for the DCJ to immediately appoint the three judges to hear the State’s application to set aside orders preventing Kithure Kindiki’s appointment.
Gachagua’s team’s lack of faith in the three-judge bench complicated Tuesday’s court proceedings.
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At some point, the judges adjourned to allow parties to file applications challenging the validity of their appointment.
On the same day, President William Ruto questioned the High Court’s authority to hear petitions challenging the impeachment.
The President, through his legal team, requested that the High Court dismiss Gachagua’s impeachment cases, which he believes should be heard by the Supreme Court.
Gachagua will learn his fate on Wednesday, October 23, at 3 p.m., when the three-judge bench will decide whether to withdraw from three cases assigned to them by Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu.
Kenya’s Chief Justice Finally Breaks Silence On DP Gachagua Impeachment Case
