NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged a state-backed scheme to oust Chief Justice Martha Koome and dismantle the Supreme Court before the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a PCEA church in Meru on Sunday, Gachagua claimed the plan involves using unnamed proxies to intimidate Koome and other judges.
“We have seen a scheme to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome from office,” said Gachagua, referencing the recent withdrawal of Koome’s security detail as part of the alleged plot.
He accused the state of using the move to coerce the CJ into stepping down.
“I want to ask my sister, Lady Justice Martha Koome, don’t be intimidated. Stay put. You are doing a good job. Continue making sure this is a country of rule of law and constitutionalism,” Gachagua urged.
The former Deputy President further alleged a broader plan to disband the Supreme Court, claiming the government has allocated funds through the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to facilitate petitions against Koome and other judges.
“There is even a bigger scheme to dismantle the Supreme Court ahead of 2027 elections. A budget has been set aside through the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and all those petitions you are seeing against Martha Koome and judges of the Supreme Court are machinations of the state,” he said.
According to Gachagua, the ultimate goal is to restructure the bench to align with the interests of the executive.
“They would like to put a Supreme Court bench that is amiable to what those in power want. We cannot accept. We want to ask the international community to keep an eye on Kenya,” he added.
His remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of the Judiciary, following a series of controversies involving the Supreme Court.
Recently, the withdrawal and subsequent reinstatement of CJ Koome’s security raised questions.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed the incident as part of a routine personnel reshuffle within the National Police Service (NPS), explaining that the officers in question were due for promotions and training.
Murkomen criticized the Chief Justice for making the matter public, calling it unnecessary.
Adding to the tension is a petition filed by former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi, seeking the removal of CJ Koome and all Supreme Court judges.
Havi accuses the judges of gross misconduct and misbehavior, calling on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) to recommend the formation of a tribunal to investigate and potentially remove the seven judges.
