NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto’s legal team has formally withdrawn from representing impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, citing legal restrictions on the President’s involvement in civil proceedings.
The withdrawal marks a significant shift in the ongoing legal battle surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment.
Kamotho Njenga, who led the President’s legal team, stated on Thursday that they could no longer act for the Deputy President due to a Supreme Court ruling that exempts the sitting President from civil litigation.
“We shall no longer be acting for the sixth respondent in this matter. We have filed a notice to cease action in light of the Supreme Court decision, which determined that the President cannot be subject to civil proceedings,” Njenga told the court.
Njenga emphasized that continuing to represent Gachagua would contradict the court order.
“We will not act contrary to an express court ruling. Therefore, we have filed a notice to cease acting, and we request the court to acknowledge this notice as sufficient evidence that the sixth respondent is no longer represented in these proceedings,” he added.
The notice leaves Gachagua unrepresented in the impeachment case, which has stirred political tension in the country.
The withdrawal comes after President Ruto’s legal team protested the High Court’s decision to proceed with the hearing of the case, arguing that the involvement of the President in such proceedings is legally barred.
The case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which includes accusations of constitutional violations and misconduct, has generated significant public attention, with political analysts closely monitoring its implications for the Ruto administration.
The withdrawal marks a significant shift in the ongoing legal battle surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment.
Kamotho Njenga, who led the President’s legal team, stated on Thursday that they could no longer act for the Deputy President due to a Supreme Court ruling that exempts the sitting President from civil litigation.
“We shall no longer be acting for the sixth respondent in this matter. We have filed a notice to cease action in light of the Supreme Court decision, which determined that the President cannot be subject to civil proceedings,” Njenga told the court.
Njenga emphasized that continuing to represent Gachagua would contradict the court order.
“We will not act contrary to an express court ruling. Therefore, we have filed a notice to cease acting, and we request the court to acknowledge this notice as sufficient evidence that the sixth respondent is no longer represented in these proceedings,” he added.
The notice leaves Gachagua unrepresented in the impeachment case, which has stirred political tension in the country.
The withdrawal comes after President Ruto’s legal team protested the High Court’s decision to proceed with the hearing of the case, arguing that the involvement of the President in such proceedings is legally barred.
The case against Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which includes accusations of constitutional violations and misconduct, has generated significant public attention, with political analysts closely monitoring its implications for the Ruto administration.
