Kirinyaga MP Njeri Maina Fires Back in Court as Gachagua Impeachment Case Takes Sharp Turn

A tense exchange unfolded at the Milimani Law Courts on Friday, May 22, 2026, as Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina sharply rejected claims that she interfered with public participation during the impeachment process of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The dispute arose during proceedings before a three-judge bench handling multiple consolidated petitions challenging the legality of Gachagua’s removal from office.

Lawyer Moses Kipkogei, representing the National Assembly, told the court that public participation forums were conducted across the country and met constitutional requirements. 

However, he alleged that in Kirinyaga County, disruptions and the closure of a constituency office interfered with the process.

He further claimed that the closure prevented residents from submitting their views on the impeachment motion.

Maina strongly dismissed the accusations, calling them misleading and inconsistent with official records presented before the court. 

She insisted that the allegations were an attempt to unfairly portray Kirinyaga County as having experienced chaos during the exercise.

Citing a National Assembly report dated October 8, 2024, Maina argued that recorded incidents of political interference were instead linked to other counties, including Murang’a and Nyeri—not Kirinyaga.

She also pointed to evidence showing that public participation in Kirinyaga Central was conducted at NG-CDF offices, where 14 members of the public reportedly gave their views.

“For the record, I have never instigated, funded, organised, or supported any form of disruption anywhere in Kenya,” she told the court firmly.

The case is being heard by Justices Ogolla, Mrima, and Mugambi and brings together seven petitions filed by 41 individuals challenging the constitutional process that led to Gachagua’s impeachment.

The Senate had earlier upheld the impeachment in a 54–13 vote on October 17, 2024, during a session Gachagua reportedly could not attend due to hospitalization.

Although he initially sought reinstatement, Gachagua has since shifted his legal strategy to pursue compensation and damages exceeding Ksh450 million.

As the hearing continues, the court is now expected to weigh arguments on whether the entire impeachment process met constitutional standards, setting the stage for a high-stakes ruling with major political implications.