Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has defended former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, adding political weight to the ongoing court case challenging Gachagua’s impeachment.
Salasya spoke after attending proceedings at the Milimani Law Courts on Monday, where Gachagua’s petition is being heard.
He said he opposed the impeachment from the start and maintains that the decision did not resolve the country’s pressing issues.
“I was never among those who supported his removal, and that conviction remains strong,” Salasya said.
“I genuinely believe that his removal did not solve the challenges our country faced then, nor the ones we continue to struggle with today.”
Case shifts focus to compensation
Gachagua is challenging his impeachment before a multi-judge bench of the High Court.
His legal team has revised its approach, dropping the demand for reinstatement and instead seeking compensation, damages, and a declaration that the process was unlawful.
Lawyers representing the former Deputy President argue that Parliament acted in haste and failed to accord him a fair hearing.
The court is expected to examine whether constitutional procedures were followed, including due process, public participation, and the threshold required for impeachment.
Salasya questions parliamentary process
The legislator said his presence in court was based on principle, citing concerns about fairness in how the impeachment was handled.
“Today, I stood at the Milimani Law Courts in solidarity, driven not by politics, but by a deep belief in fairness, justice, and truth,” he said.
He added that there is a lingering concern that Gachagua may not have been given adequate opportunity to defend himself during the parliamentary proceedings.
Judiciary under focus
Salasya expressed confidence in the courts to determine the legality of the impeachment.
“I still hold onto hope that the courts will rise to the occasion, that justice will not be overshadowed, and that what is right will ultimately prevail,” he said, adding that justice must be delivered without delay.
The State is expected to respond to the petition in the coming sessions as the hearing continues.
Wider implications
Gachagua’s removal in October 2024 marked the first impeachment of a Deputy President under Kenya’s 2010 Constitution. The case now before the High Court is expected to shape how future impeachment processes are conducted.
The outcome could clarify the legal standards governing impeachment, particularly on procedural fairness and the role of Parliament.