The Senate plans to appeal a High Court ruling that awarded former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua KSh 50 million for violations of his right to a fair trial. Senate Speaker Amason Kingi described the court’s finding as mistaken.

During a Tuesday debate, senators accused the judiciary of exceeding its authority and interfering with the Senate’s constitutional role in impeachment trials. Several lawmakers argued that a jury is not required to explain its decisions, and that a trial can proceed even if the accused is absent—pointing out that Gachagua’s whereabouts were unknown and his own lawyer couldn’t locate him.

Some senators, however, questioned the court’s logic in ruling the process flawed while still upholding the impeachment’s outcome. The decision has renewed debate over the boundaries between judicial power and parliamentary independence.