Clarification of CJ Koome’s Meeting with President Ruto Amid Gachagua’s Legal Battle
Chief Justice Martha Koome has taken steps to clarify the situation regarding her purported meeting with President William Ruto, scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, 2024. Recent social media reports suggesting this meeting sparked significant discussion and speculation, prompting the Judiciary to respond with an official statement labeling the claims as unfounded.
The Judiciary categorically denied the rumors, labeling them as “fake.” The misleading posts alleged that CJ Koome was set to discuss concerns related to alleged intimidation of judges in light of Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment cases. The flagged social media post claimed, “Chief Justice Martha Koome will meet President Ruto on Tuesday to discuss alleged intimidation of judges by State House operatives over Gachagua’s impeachment cases.”
As Gachagua’s impeachment proceedings unfold, the Judiciary is under scrutiny, especially with the ongoing petitions that have been filed regarding his removal. In response to these developments, CJ Koome established a three-judge bench, which includes Justices Eric Ogola, Anthony Mrima, and Freda Mugambi, to hear the cases challenging Gachagua’s impeachment process.
Following the Senate’s decision to impeach Gachagua, he successfully secured conservatory orders that have temporarily halted the process, preventing Prof. Kithure Kindiki from stepping into the role of Deputy President.
The court is scheduled to address two significant cases on October 22, concerning the conservatory orders that aim to prevent Kindiki from assuming the deputy presidency.
In a letter dated October 20, Gachagua’s lawyer, John Jomo, raised concerns regarding the handling of one of the impeachment-related cases. He questioned why a case was assigned to the three-judge bench on Saturday, October 19, without explicit direction from the Chief Justice. The letter highlighted that, although the bench was constituted to handle six cases, the two scheduled for hearing on October 22 were not among them. Gachagua’s legal team criticized the judges for failing to provide an open date for the petitioners’ cases until October 29, even as the government was granted hearings for new cases before that date.
In a plea for justice, Gachagua emphasized the importance of upholding the Constitution and maintaining the rule of law in Kenya. He urged CJ Koome to ensure that justice is served, reiterating that existing court orders affirm his right to remain in office until the case is fully resolved.
As the situation develops, all eyes remain on the Judiciary and its critical role in navigating these complex legal challenges surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment and the implications for Kenya’s governance.
