Aasai

LAWYER Charles Kanjama has said that legally, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is allowed to run for president in 2027 if his court case is not decided and all court proceedings are completed. Addressing supporters in Karatina, Nyeri County over the weekend, Mr Gachagua said he aims to become Kenyas president in 2027. He boasted that due to his knowledge and politics, he is the only candidate who is good enough to oust President William Ruto from the White House. Speaking to Taifa Leo by phone, Kanjama said the way Mr Gachaguas case is currently, if it is not decided by the Supreme Court by 2027 then he is free to be a debenture.

 "The truth is that a case needs the efforts of lawyers and judges to be expedited and that is not seen in Mr Gachaguas case," questioned Mr Kanjama. "When the lawyers were fighting to prevent him from being removed from power, they reached the Court of Appeal, but the case returned to the High Court when they raised questions about the panel of judges that is supposed to hear the case," he added. Mr Gachagua was removed from office in October by both the House and the Senate.

 His removal was prompted by allegations of tribalism and a feud between him and President Ruto. Mr Gachagua and his lawyers also claimed that his rights were violated because the process of his removal was not in accordance with the law. 

They argued that he was elected by Kenyans in the 2022 elections and therefore his removal would include the President. He also called on judges Eric Ogola, Frida Mugambi and Anthony Mrima who were appointed to hear his case to recuse themselves, saying they had not ruled fairly. Mr Kanjama said that as things stand, the case against  Gachagua is dragging on, and if it is not concluded by 2027, then his ambition cannot be extinguished. 

Mr Gachagua was quoted as citing Sirisia MP John Waluke, who contested for parliament despite being sentenced to 74 years, as an example that he too cannot be barred from running for office. “The issue in this case is not the verdict or conviction but the opportunity to appeal. This Gachagua case is still pending before the panel of judges. He is also not seeking to return to office but wants to show that he was illegally removed,” said the lawyer.

 He pointed out that the case of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was expedited due to a hidden conspiracy to prevent him from running again. “Sonko himself raised questions about his case and claimed that the judges did not treat him fairly while saying there was an intention to stop him from running for governor,” he said. Mr Gachagua’s statement that he will now run for president is expected to anger other opposition leaders with whom he has been collaborating to fight President Ruto.