Zimpapers Logo

NAIROBI. – A high court in Kenya yesterday gave the green light for a new deputy president to take office despite a continuing court case challenging the impeachment of the previous deputy president.

The three-judge High Court in Nairobi set aside another court’s order to suspend the swearing-in of nominee Mr Kithure Kindiki, arguing that the suspension created a political vacuum.

Former deputy president Mr Rigathi Gachagua was impeached and removed from office by a vote of more than two-thirds of legislators on October 17 on charges of corruption, inciting ethnic divisions and support for anti-government protests.

President William Ruto nominated Mr Kindiki, the current interior minister, for the deputy role the next day.

Former deputy president Mr Gachagua’s impeachment had highlighted divisions within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and friction between Preisdent Ruto and his former deputy Gachagua, both UDA members.

The former deputy president had been accused of insubordination when he opposed the government’s policy of forced evictions during heavy rains that caused flooding and deaths.

He is now challenging the impeachment before the High Court in Nairobi, arguing that the charges were unsubstantiated and that the hearings were unfair.

The former deputy president was rushed to hospital with chest pains during impeachment hearings in the Senate on October 17, and his lawyers had asked for an adjournment of several days.

However, the chamber rejected the delay when lawyers for the prosecution argued that he already had delivered his defence.

The Senate voted on the impeachment later that day, and the former deputy president’s supporters have criticised the process as rushed and unfair.

Mr Gachagua has said he believes the impeachment was backed by President Ruto.

President Ruto, who came to office claiming to represent Kenya’s poorest citizens, has faced widespread criticism over his efforts to raise taxes to pay off foreign creditors.

But the public opposition led him to shake up his Cabinet and back off from certain proposals. – Africanews.com