NEWS IN: CJ Martha Koome Remarks on Gachagua’s Impeachment
News Hub Creator3h
After days of speculation surrounding her absence from the public eye, Chief Justice Martha Koome made an appearance at the Makadara Law Courts on Tuesday, October 22, where she addressed the ongoing legal disputes surrounding Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment case.
In a video shared by Kenyans.co.ke, Koome was seen engaging with court staff and members of the public. During the interaction, a member of the public questioned her about her stance on Gachagua’s court proceedings.
In response, the Chief Justice clarified that the case is currently under the jurisdiction of the High Court, adding that the case has not reached her desk yet.
Koome’s public appearance followed reports that she had been out of the country in recent days, during which Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu appointed a three-judge bench to handle Gachagua’s impeachment challenge.
This decision sparked debate, with Gachagua’s legal team questioning whether Mwilu had the authority to make such an appointment, arguing that only the Chief Justice could designate judges for this case.
Senior counsel Paul Muite raised concerns about the manner in which the file was assigned to the judges on a Saturday without Koome’s direct involvement. Gachagua’s camp also suggested that there was an unusual urgency in the transfer of a petition file from Kerugoya, leading to further speculation about the handling of the case.
The three judges will on Wednesday at 3.30 pm, rule on whether they will bow out of a case challenging orders blocking the appointment of Kithure Kindiki as the Deputy President.