Gachagua Impeachment: Court orders public hearings at constituency level

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [DPCS]

The High Court in Kerugoya has ordered that public participation regarding the motion to impeach Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua be organised in each constituency.

In his ruling, Justice Richard Mwongo directed the National Assembly and other respondents to facilitate public hearings at the constituency level instead of the county level.

"Respondents shall organize similar public hearings closer to the citizens at least at constituency level on each constituency in Kenya to enable the constituents of Members of Parliament responsible for the impeachment process nationally to engage with and participate on hearings and/or any other suitable modes by which citizens at that level can participate and offer their representations," Justice Mwongo orders

This decision comes in response to a petition filed by Jane Njeri Maina, the Woman Representative for Kirinyaga County, who seeks to halt public participation on the grounds that the current process at the county level is not providing citizens with a meaningful opportunity to participate and present their views.

The court directive will allow constituents to engage directly in the impeachment process and voice their opinions.

Justice Mwongo has however declined to issue an order to suspend the public participation process itself which is ongoing in different parts of the country.

In Nairobi, chaos broke out at the Bomas of Kenya during the public participation exercise after a group of youth attending the session attacked lawyer Morara Kebaso. The activist was forcibly ejected before he could present his views on Gachagua's impeachment.