Former Deputy President vows to appeal impeachment verdict, insists he remains eligible to contest the 2027 presidential election
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a blistering attack on the High Court ruling that upheld his impeachment, rejecting the KSh50 million compensation awarded to him, announcing plans to appeal the decision and alleging that President William Ruto previously offered him KSh2 billion to resign from office instead of facing impeachment.
The remarks came after a three-judge bench ruled that while Gachagua’s constitutional right to a fair hearing had been violated during the impeachment process, the impeachment itself would remain valid. The court also awarded him KSh50 million in constitutional damages.
In a lengthy statement titled “High Court Platypus Judgement,” Gachagua said he respected the Judiciary but fundamentally disagreed with the court’s interpretation of the law.
“We stand here today with tremendous respect to the Judiciary of our country. While we respect the ruling of the High Court, we totally and fundamentally disagree on the interpretation of the law and application of facts.”
“The fight is still on”
Looking back on the nearly two years since his removal from office in October 2024, Gachagua described the period as painful but vowed not to give up.
“Those two years of being condemned unheard have not been easy. We have had an opportunity before a three-judge bench of the High Court, whose unfavorable decision is now out; but the fight is still on.”
He thanked his wife, Rev. Dorcas Rigathi, his sons Kevin and Keith, his legal team led by Senior Counsel Paul Muite and millions of supporters for standing with him throughout the legal battle.
“To the millions of Kenyans who have stood in solidarity with me, I am greatly indebted to you.”
Gachagua says judgment is contradictory
The former Deputy President argued that the judges contradicted themselves by acknowledging that his constitutional rights had been violated while simultaneously upholding the impeachment.
“I am shocked by the 350-page decision of the three-judge bench pronouncing itself and holding that my right to fair hearing under Article 50 of the Constitution was violated – and then ironically purporting to uphold the impeachment.”
According to him, once the court established that his rights under Articles 25, 47 and 50 had been violated, the impeachment process should automatically have been declared null and void.
“Once that determination was made, the entire process collapsed and was null and void. There was no impeachment. This was a constitutional coup.”
He further criticized the ruling as inconsistent.
“It is lost on all of us how the actions and decisions of Parliament, categorically determined by the three-judge bench as unconstitutional and a product of an unfair process, can then be deemed valid by the same bench.”
Calling the outcome illogical, he added:
“These contradictions are an abuse to the intelligence of the people of Kenya.”
Appeal to the Court of Appeal
Gachagua confirmed that he has instructed his lawyers to challenge the ruling before the Court of Appeal.
“We shall proceed to file an appeal at the Court of Appeal on the decision and hope that justice shall prevail.”
He disclosed that he had already held consultations with his legal team after the judgment.
“Earlier today, I held a consultative engagement with my legal team led by Senior Counsel Hon. Paul Muite. We have clearly analyzed the judgment and I have instructed them to challenge this judgment at the Court of Appeal.”
“The KSh50 million is an insult”
While the court awarded him KSh50 million in constitutional damages, Gachagua dismissed the compensation, saying his legal fight had never been about money.
“The KSh50 million awarded to me is an insult to my fundamental rights and freedoms and a mockery of the Constitution; we are not interested.”
He added:
“Money was never the issue here. Justice and constitutional supremacy was.”
According to Gachagua, his objective has always been to defend constitutional rights rather than seek financial compensation.
“I stand, as a matter of principle, to protect constitutional rights and defend the Constitution.”
Claims of KSh2 billion resignation offer
In one of the most dramatic parts of his statement, Gachagua alleged that President William Ruto had offered him KSh2 billion to resign before the impeachment process.
“If I were interested in money, Mr. William Ruto had offered me KSh2 billion in an effort to entice me to avoid impeachment and choose resignation, but I stood for my rights and that of over seven million Kenyans who voted for me.”
He further claimed:
“I rejected this offer and faced the National Assembly. No offer, no amount of money can stand between me, my rights and the rights of the citizens of Kenya under the Constitution.”
Gachagua did not provide evidence for the alleged offer in his statement, and there was no immediate public response from President Ruto or his office regarding the claim.
Insists he can still run for president
The former Deputy President also rejected suggestions that the High Court ruling bars him from contesting the 2027 General Election.
Describing the reports as propaganda, he said:
“This is a desperate and false propaganda by those terrified of my candidature.”
He cited Article 99(3) of the Constitution, arguing that appeals must first be exhausted before any candidate can be disqualified.
“I confirm that I am eligible to vie as a presidential candidate and that I will be on the ballot on August 10, 2027, should the formula agreed upon by the United Alternative Government favor me as the single presidential candidate.”
Reveals Plan A and Plan B for 2027
Gachagua also outlined a two-pronged strategy for the next General Election after consultations with his advisers.
Under Plan A, he said he would embark on nationwide political mobilization if selected as the opposition coalition’s presidential flag bearer.
Under Plan B, he pledged to campaign vigorously for another agreed candidate if the coalition settles on a different nominee.
“I remain hopeful that I will be the candidate for the election to presidency. I have the capacity and the muscle, I have the infrastructure and the presidential experience.”
However, he emphasized that unity within the opposition remains his priority.
“If any one of my colleagues is agreed upon, I give a firm commitment that I will lead political mobilization never seen in the history of our independent Kenya.”
He concluded by urging Kenyans to remain united.
“We must get back our nation. Kenyans have lost far too much to be quantified and we cannot lose more.”
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