NAIROBI, Kenya — A cardiologist treating former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told the High Court that President William Ruto personally called him on the day the Senate impeached Gachagua in October 2024.
In an affidavit filed before a three-judge bench, renowned cardiologist Dr. Daniel Gikonyo said the President contacted him on October 17, 2024, while Gachagua was admitted at Karen Hospital in Nairobi with severe chest pains.
“On October 17, 2024, while the first petitioner was under my care, I received a telephone call from the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, who inquired as to the first petitioner’s condition,” Gikonyo stated in court documents.
According to the affidavit, the former Deputy President was admitted at around 3 pm, presenting symptoms consistent with a possible cardiac event.
Dr. Gikonyo said he personally supervised Gachagua’s treatment until his discharge on October 20, 2024.
The doctor told the court that the symptoms included severe retrosternal chest pain, which he said could be associated with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, stress, and obesity, particularly among individuals aged 45 years.
“Such symptoms are clinically consistent with potential cardiac events,” Gikonyo stated, adding that he conducted comprehensive cardiological assessments and diagnostic evaluations.
At the time of the hospitalisation, the Senate was in the final stages of impeachment proceedings against Gachagua over accusations including gross violation of the Constitution, misconduct, abuse of office, and promoting divisive politics.
Later that evening, senators voted to uphold five of the 11 charges against him, effectively removing him from office after the first charge of gross constitutional violation surpassed the constitutional threshold required for impeachment.
Gachagua subsequently moved to court to challenge the process, arguing that the proceedings were rushed and denied him a fair opportunity to defend himself.
The consolidated petitions, filed by 41 petitioners across seven separate cases, list President Ruto among 16 respondents, placing the Head of State at the centre of the legal battle involving his former deputy.
Dr. Gikonyo’s affidavit forms part of the evidence presented by Gachagua’s legal team in support of claims that his medical condition affected his ability to participate fully in the Senate proceedings.
The cardiologist, founder of Karen Hospital, told the court he has treated Gachagua since 2006.
The case is now being heard by a three-judge bench, which is expected to assess whether constitutional and procedural safeguards were adhered to during the impeachment process.
In a shift of legal strategy, Gachagua is no longer seeking reinstatement as Deputy President and is instead pursuing compensation exceeding Sh80 million for alleged violations arising from the impeachment.
