NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 23 – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched serious accusations against President William Ruto, alleging that he is plotting to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome from office. Speaking during a church service in Meru County on Sunday, Gachagua claimed that the alleged plan is driven by Koome’s steadfast leadership of the Judiciary and her refusal to succumb to political pressure.
“Let us respect each other. The Meru people have been taken for granted for too long, and it must come to an end. As we speak, the President is planning to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome from office. He started by kicking me out of his government, and he also did the same to Mithika Linturi,” Gachagua stated.
Gachagua accused the Ruto administration of feeling threatened by Koome’s independent stance, arguing that the Judiciary is under attack because the Chief Justice refuses to be a “Yes Leader.”
“When you kicked me out of your government, the people from the Mountain remained silent, and you thought they were fearful. We dare you to continue with the plan of removing Justice Koome because she has refused to be a ‘Yes, sir’ person,” he warned.
Since his ouster, Gachagua has become an outspoken critic of the Ruto administration, frequently opposing government policies and decisions. He further vowed to lead nationwide protests if Koome is removed, declaring, “If you chase our Martha Koome, don’t set foot in Meru. You chased Rigathi Gachagua, and the Mt. Kenya people were silent—you thought they were cowards.”
The controversy comes amid existing legal tensions surrounding the Judiciary. Last month, former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi filed a petition with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), calling for the removal of Chief Justice Koome and the entire Supreme Court bench, citing alleged misconduct and incompetence.
In addition, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has launched investigations into corruption claims within the Judiciary. EACC Chairperson David Oginde confirmed that bribery allegations against several judges are under review, following a formal request for investigation by Chief Justice Koome.
Despite these developments, Gachagua dismissed the accusations as part of a larger political scheme aimed at undermining Koome’s authority. In a fiery warning, he told Ruto, “If you go ahead with this plan, you will never be welcome in Meru.”
As the political drama intensifies, Kenyans await further statements from both the Judiciary and the Executive, with many questioning the potential impact of this conflict on the country’s legal and political landscape.