Following the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment by the National Assembly on Tuesday, October 10, he is now gearing up for a legal showdown in a bid to retain his position, as the Senate prepares for its final decision.
The impeachment motion, passed with 281 votes in favor and 44 against, easily surpassed the two-thirds majority required to escalate the matter to the Senate.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced that the Senate would examine the allegations against Gachagua on October 16 and 17.
In response, Gachagua has assembled a robust team of 14 prominent lawyers to challenge the charges.
This team includes high-profile legal figures such as Senior Counsel Paul Muite, Victor Swanya Ogeto, Elisha Ongoya, George Sakimpa, Ndegwa Njiru, George Wandati, and Faith Waigwa. The team has also welcomed notable advocates like Tom Maina Macharia, Andrew Muge, Erick Kiprop Naibei, Julia Omwamba, Amos Kisilu, Murugi Kamande, and Willis Echesa.
Paul Muite, with over five decades of experience, is renowned for his significant role in Kenya’s legal and political arenas, having represented former President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2013 and 2017 presidential petitions and the IEBC commissioners in the 2022 election dispute.
A fervent supporter of human rights and the rule of law, Muite has been a pivotal figure in Kenya’s struggle for multi-party democracy.
Ndegwa Njiru, a key member of Gachagua’s team, is highly regarded for his expertise in impeachment cases.
He represented the Meru County Assembly in the impeachment of Governor Kawira Mwangaza and has also been involved in other notable cases, such as the impeachment of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.
Njiru emphasizes the importance of devolution, which he views as essential to Kenya’s growth.
The legal team brings together a diverse set of experiences.
Tom Maina Macharia, recognized in 2021 by Chambers & Partners as a leading dispute resolution lawyer in Kenya, has over 25 years of experience.
Andrew Muge, son of the late Bishop Alexander Kipsang Muge, is currently handling several high-profile cases, including the appeal of Joseph Irungu (Jowie) and succession matters involving the Moi family.
Erick Kiprop Naibei and Julia Omwamba bring additional strengths to the team, each with extensive backgrounds in litigation and constitutional law.
Other notable team members include George Sakimpa, a Certified Secretary and tax administration expert, who has worked at top law firms like Anjarwalla & Khanna, and Faith Waigwa, an advocate of the High Court with over 15 years of experience.
The team also features Amos Kisilu, a graduate of Makerere University who has built a successful career in private practice, and Murugi Kamande, who focuses on criminal defense and election petitions.
Willis Echesa, with a master’s degree in intellectual property law, rounds out the team.
As Gachagua faces this formidable legal challenge, all eyes are on the Senate, where the final decision on his future will unfold.
The outcome may not only impact his political career but also shape the precedent for similar cases in Kenya’s political and legal landscape.
