Kirinyaga Woman Representative and lawyer Njeri Maina has described the High Court’s decision to uphold the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as “gravely disappointing”, saying the legal team will challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal.

Speaking to journalists outside Milimani Law Courts shortly after the ruling on Monday, June 8, 2026, Maina said Gachagua had accepted the outcome peacefully and urged his supporters to remain calm as the legal process continues.

“He’s a peace-loving Kenyan,” she said. “He has called upon all his supporters to take whatever outcome of today’s judgment, knowing that we shall proceed to the Court of Appeal and maintain peace and order so that we can give our institutions sufficient time to interrogate this judgment today.”

The ruling was delivered by a three-judge bench comprising Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima and Freda Mugambi. The court upheld Gachagua’s October 2024 impeachment, finding that the Senate’s standing orders and the overall impeachment process met the constitutional threshold.

Court upholds impeachment but awards damages

The judges dismissed consolidated petitions challenging the impeachment and also validated President William Ruto’s nomination of Professor Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President.

However, the bench found that the Senate violated Gachagua’s right to a fair hearing when it declined requests to adjourn proceedings on medical grounds.

The judges stated that while Parliament has constitutional authority to remove state officers from office, such powers must be exercised in a manner that respects due process and constitutional safeguards.

As a result of the finding, the court awarded Gachagua Ksh50 million in damages to be paid by the Senate.

Focus on constitutional principles

Addressing the award, Maina maintained that the case was never about compensation.

“We’re not here for the money. It is not about the money,” she said. “It is about the integrity of the Constitution of Kenya. It is about the integrity of the processes that are undertaken by institutions that are governed by law.”

She added that Gachagua would not be motivated by the financial award and remained focused on the constitutional issues raised in the case.

According to Maina, the legal team will study the judgment in detail before filing an appeal.

The ruling marks another chapter in the political and legal developments that followed Gachagua’s impeachment. While the High Court upheld the Senate’s decision, the planned appeal means the matter is expected to move to the Court of Appeal in the coming weeks.