Four people who filed court cases against the impeachment of Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have gone to the Court of Appeal. They want the Court of Appeal to undo a decision made by the High Court. The High Court had refused to grant a request for the judges to step away from the case.
The four people are David Mathenge, Peter Gichobi Kamotho, Muthoni Mwangi, Clement Muchiri Muriuki and Edwin Munene Kariuki. They filed their appeal together on January 18, 2025 through their lawyers, Njindo Matiba Advocates.
They say the High Court judges were wrong to not step away from the case. They believe the judges showed bias. One of the judges, Justice Mrima, is friends with the Senate Speaker, Amason Kingi. Kingi even went to Mrima's wedding and gave him a gift.
The Supreme Court has said in the past that close relationships like this between judges and people involved in a court case are a reason for judges to step aside. It can make people think the judge might be biased.
On October 25, 2024, the High Court had said no when Gachagua asked for the judges to step away from his impeachment case. Judges Mugambi, Ogola, and Mrima decided they would keep hearing the case. But they told Gachagua he could appeal their decision if he wanted to.
The four people bringing the case to the Court of Appeal say the High Court judges made a big mistake. They set standards that are too high for asking judges to step aside. They say this lets judges stay on cases even when it looks like they might be biased.
They want the Court of Appeal to undo the High Court's ruling. They hope the Court of Appeal will make a new decision in their favor instead.
The four people are David Mathenge, Peter Gichobi Kamotho, Muthoni Mwangi, Clement Muchiri Muriuki and Edwin Munene Kariuki. They filed their appeal together on January 18, 2025 through their lawyers, Njindo Matiba Advocates.
They say the High Court judges were wrong to not step away from the case. They believe the judges showed bias. One of the judges, Justice Mrima, is friends with the Senate Speaker, Amason Kingi. Kingi even went to Mrima's wedding and gave him a gift.
The Supreme Court has said in the past that close relationships like this between judges and people involved in a court case are a reason for judges to step aside. It can make people think the judge might be biased.
On October 25, 2024, the High Court had said no when Gachagua asked for the judges to step away from his impeachment case. Judges Mugambi, Ogola, and Mrima decided they would keep hearing the case. But they told Gachagua he could appeal their decision if he wanted to.
The four people bringing the case to the Court of Appeal say the High Court judges made a big mistake. They set standards that are too high for asking judges to step aside. They say this lets judges stay on cases even when it looks like they might be biased.
They want the Court of Appeal to undo the High Court's ruling. They hope the Court of Appeal will make a new decision in their favor instead.
