As the High Court proceedings challenging former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment continue, Cytonn Investments CEO Edwin Dande has offered a pointed political analysis, arguing that the outcome may ultimately favour Gachagua regardless of the verdict.
The case, currently before a three-judge bench at the Milimani High Court, is examining the legality of Gachagua’s October 2024 removal from office.
Central to the ongoing proceedings are questions about whether Parliament adhered to constitutional requirements, including fair hearing, due process, and adequate public participation during the impeachment.
In recent court sessions, attention has shifted to new medical evidence presented by Gachagua’s legal team.
Cardiologist Dr Daniel Gikonyo told the court that President William Ruto allegedly contacted him on the day Gachagua was admitted to hospital during the Senate hearings.
The claim has introduced fresh debate over whether Gachagua was medically fit to participate in his trial at the time.
It is within this context that Dande weighed in, framing the case as one with significant political implications beyond the legal arguments.
According to Dande, if the court upholds the impeachment, Gachagua is likely to interpret the decision as confirmation of political targeting.
He could argue that both the Senate and the judiciary were influenced, reinforcing a narrative that may resonate with his political base, particularly in the Mt Kenya region.
Conversely, Dande notes that if the court overturns the impeachment, Gachagua would still gain politically. In that scenario, he would likely present the ruling as vindication, claiming the Senate process was flawed or manipulated.
Such an outcome, Dande argues, would equally strengthen his position ahead of any future political moves.
“Either way, he is in a very strong position,” Dande observed, suggesting that Gachagua is strategically positioned to capitalise on the court’s decision, regardless of its direction.
The remarks underscore a growing perception that the case carries both legal and political weight.
While the judiciary is tasked with interpreting the Constitution, the implications of its ruling are expected to reverberate across the political landscape.
Dande emphasised that the responsibility now lies with the bench to deliver a decision grounded strictly in law and justice.
Any perception of external influence, he warned, could undermine public trust in the judiciary and intensify political divisions.
His assessment also highlights the potential risks facing the government.
An upheld impeachment could reinforce claims of political persecution, while a reversal might cast doubt on the credibility of Parliament’s process, exposing institutional tensions.
As the case continues, the court is expected to determine whether the impeachment met constitutional thresholds and whether Gachagua’s rights were fully upheld throughout the proceedings.
For now, the legal battle remains active, but as Dande’s analysis suggests, the political contest surrounding it may already be shaping the narrative ahead of the final judgment.