NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now claims that President William Ruto’s alleged push to oust Chief Justice Martha Koome has been in the works for years—dating back to his time in government.
In a fresh attack on his former boss, Gachagua accused Ruto of seeking to remove Koome for refusing to bend to political pressure.
Speaking in a Monday night interview on KTN, the former DP said Ruto had repeatedly expressed frustration with Koome while he was still in office, often blaming him for failing to “manage” the Chief Justice.
“President Ruto schemed a long time ago to remove Martha Koome because she refused to be compromised. He shared this with me and even quarrelled with me, saying a daughter from the mountain was being problematic,” Gachagua said.
According to Gachagua, he had multiple discussions with Koome regarding the alleged plot, but she remained firm in upholding the rule of law.
“She is strict on constitutionalism and a very respectable judge… I was against it. The matter was put on hold until I was hounded out of office. Now, it has been fast-tracked,” he added.
Gachagua further alleged that Ruto is not just targeting CJ Koome but aims to purge the entire Supreme Court bench to install judges loyal to him.
“Many times, he indicated his desire to have the entire bench replaced so he can put in place a bench that does what he wants. A president must be able to manage an election cycle from the IEBC to the Supreme Court,” he claimed.
The former DP warned of dire consequences should the Judiciary be compromised, vowing to lead protests if the alleged plan goes through.
“If Koome is removed, I will lead protests across the country. I will not sit back and watch Ruto destroy the leadership of Mount Kenya,” he declared during a Sunday church service in Meru.
Gachagua expressed doubts that Koome would receive a fair hearing should proceedings against her begin, claiming the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) is already under Ruto’s control.
“Any proceedings against the Chief Justice will just be a kangaroo court, just like my impeachment. It will be predetermined,” he said. Ruto has already captured the National Assembly, the Senate, and the opposition. Now he wants the Judiciary.”
His allegations come a month after former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi petitioned the JSC to remove Koome and the entire Supreme Court bench, citing alleged misconduct and incompetence.
Additionally, in January, Koome’s security detail was suddenly withdrawn, only to be reinstated after public outcry.
Authorities claimed the withdrawal was for “training and promotion.”
The latest accusations add fuel to the already growing tensions between Ruto and his estranged deputy, who has become one of his fiercest critics since his impeachment by the Senate in October.
Gachagua has vowed to do everything in his power to block Ruto’s re-election in 2027.
