Kenya court to rule on bid to stop deputy president's ouster

NAIROBI - A Kenyan court is due to rule Tuesday on a last-ditch case seeking to stop a Senate debate and vote on the impeachment of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

In a historic move last week, the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, voted overwhelmingly to impeach Gachagua on 11 charges including corruption.

The 59-year-old has denied all allegations and will continue to serve in his role until the Senate decides whether to approve his removal.

Gachagua filed the court challenge to stop the upper house's proceedings set for Wednesday and Thursday, arguing that his impeachment had been unfair and fast-tracked.

High Court judge Enock Chacha Mwita will rule on the case at 2:30 pm (1130 GMT).

It is one of more than two dozen court cases that have been filed against the impeachment, the first of its kind against a deputy president since the possibility was introduced in Kenya's revised 2010 constitution.

On Monday, the Chief Justice Martha Koome empanelled a three-judge bench to hear and determine a case consolidating six of the petitions.

Gachagua, a powerful businessman from Kenya's biggest tribe, the Kikuyu, weathered previous corruption scandals to become deputy leader as President William Ruto's running mate in a closely fought election in August 2022.

But in recent weeks, he has complained of being sidelined by the president and had been accused of supporting youth-led anti-government protests that broke out in June.

Gachagua, who is accused of threatening a judge among his impeachment charges, on Sunday said he pinned his hopes on the judiciary.

"I am a believer in the independence of the judiciary. I am certain that the courts will exercise judicial authority and protect and uphold the constitution and the will of the people," he told a church service in central Kenya.

Ruto has not commented publicly on the impeachment.

The ouster will require the support of at least two-thirds of senators to pass.