Former Deputy President Gachagua Seeks Over 80 Million Shillings in Compensation After Impeachment
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked the court to award him more than 80 million shillings as compensation following his removal from office.
He is no longer seeking to return to his previous position but wants the government to pay him for the salary and benefits he would have received if he had served the remaining period of his term. The demand was presented in court on Monday during a hearing at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi.
Gachagua’s legal team, led by senior lawyer Paul Muite, explained that the amount covers unpaid salary for 35 months, gratuity, airtime allowance, medical cover, and official transport. They are also asking for retirement benefits, including a monthly pension, a lump-sum payment, two official vehicles, fuel allowance, and support staff such as drivers, a personal assistant, cooks, cleaners, and security personnel. Additional requests include diplomatic passports for him and his wife, as well as access to VIP lounges at airports.
The former Deputy President was impeached by Parliament in October 2024. His lawyers argue that the process was rushed and did not give him a fair chance to defend himself. They described the impeachment as unconstitutional and said it was handled at “lightning speed,” with proceedings even continuing late into the night. Gachagua was present in court alongside Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa as the three-judge bench heard the case.
Gachagua has made it clear that he does not want his old job back. Instead, he is focused on receiving what he believes he is owed for the time he was removed from office. His team also addressed earlier statements he made about “Mt Kenya,” clarifying that the remarks were not intended to promote tribal divisions. The court is expected to deliver a significant ruling on both the legality of the impeachment and the compensation request in the coming weeks.
