Azimio principal and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has urged the government to restore the security detail of impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua which he claimed has been withdrawn.
His call comes just hours after the High Court issued conservatory orders halting Gachagua’s replacement until a court hearing scheduled for October 24. The ruling has reignited debate over the impeachment process, with Kalonzo asserting that the court's intervention offers hope to Kenyans who are disillusioned with political manoeuvres.
Kalonzo, speaking through his social media account, emphasised the significance of the court's orders in providing a lifeline for justice. “When a captured legislature fails to listen to the will of the people, the judiciary remains our last line of defence,” he declared, lauding the ruling by Justice Chacha Mwita, which temporarily blocked the Senate’s decision to uphold the impeachment and appoint a replacement.
He further pressed for Gachagua's security detail to be reinstated, citing the ongoing legal uncertainty. “We anticipate that with these verdicts, the security of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will be restored,” he remarked. Gachagua's security had been scaled down following his impeachment, which was gazetted by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
The impeachment was initiated amidst a charged political atmosphere, with 236 Members of Parliament voting to endorse Prof Kindiki Kithure as Gachagua’s successor. The removal of Gachagua’s security personnel was immediate, affecting not only his Karen residence but also his other properties, which had previously been under tight protection.
Prior to the impeachment, over 50 officers from the elite General Service Unit's Recce squad and other units had been assigned to guard him, a privilege stripped away once the decision was formalised.
The impeachment saga has unfolded rapidly, with Gachagua seeking legal recourse to challenge the Senate’s decision. He argued through his lawyer, Paul Muite, that the charges brought against him lacked evidence and did not meet the threshold for removal. On Friday, Justice Chacha Mwita, responding to Gachagua’s petition, certified it as raising significant legal questions and halted the implementation of the Senate’s resolution. He directed that Chief Justice Martha Koome appoint a bench to preside over the matter.
Kalonzo and other Azimio leaders, including former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, rallied behind Gachagua, describing the impeachment as a political injustice.
Speaking outside the Karen Hospital, where Gachagua had been admitted following his impeachment, they criticised the Orange Democratic Movement’s (ODM) MPs for not aligning with Azimio's stance.
The unfolding drama has left many questioning the conduct of legislators during the impeachment proceedings. Kalonzo pointed out that the National Assembly's anticipation of the Senate's verdict undermined the integrity of the process. “I once served as Deputy Speaker, and one of the worst mistakes is anticipating debate,” he reflected, criticising the rushed nature of the parliamentary vote.
