Kibwezi Member of Parliament Mwengi Mutuse has celebrated after the High Court paved the way for Kithure Kindiki to be sworn in as Kenya’s new Deputy President.
Mutuse began the journey of kicking out Rigathi Gachagua from the Harambee Annex office when he tabled an impeachment motion at the National Assembly.
The National Assembly approved the motion and, through Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, sent it to the Senate. The Senate upheld five of the 11 charges, meaning that Gachagua was impeached.
The former Mathira Constituency MP has been fighting for a comeback through the courts, but he suffered another blow when the High Court lifted conservatory orders that had stood between Kindiki, the current Cabinet Secretary for Interior, and his new office.
The lifting of the sanctions that had been given by the High Court in Kerugoya has earned a number of reactions, with some leaders, including Mutuse, welcoming it and some condemning the ruling.
“The High Court has vindicated us thus far. Kenya and her people are bigger than any individual. Let’s now swear in Prof. Kithure Kindiki and end the anxiety. Kenyans deserve services from their government,” Mutuse said in a post on his X account on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
Ruling
While delivering the ruling, the High Court argued that the office of the DP cannot remain vacant except in ways clearly stated by the Constitution.
Justice Anthony Mrima stated that public interest demands that the Office of the Deputy President should not remain vacant.
“We are convinced and find that the current constitutional framework does not envision any scenario in which the office of the DP would remain vacant except during the brief period required to fill a vacancy,” Justice Murima stated.
Justice Eric Ogola stated that the conservatory orders that had been issued by Kerugoya High Court on October 18, 2024, had been discharged.
“The applications for conservatory orders are hereby disallowed. The conservatory orders on October 18, 2024, in Kerugoya High Court are hereby discharged,” Justice Ogola said.
Eyes are now on Gachagua to see what his next steps will be as his political career faces a bleak future.
