Farmers Party to protest for Gachagua’s reinstatement

By Daisy Okiring

The Farmers Party has announced a protest march to the official residence of the Deputy President in Karen, Nairobi, scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, with the aim of “re-installing” former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, citing a recent Court of Appeal ruling that questioned the legality of his impeachment.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, the party, led by former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, said it had written to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja requesting security for a peaceful procession aimed at what it termed “restoring the sovereign will of the people.”

Gachagua was removed from office through a Senate impeachment motion on October 18, 2024, following a high-profile fallout with President William Ruto. He was subsequently replaced by Kithure Kindiki, the then-Interior Cabinet Secretary.

However, a petition challenging the impeachment was later filed, and Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu appointed a three-judge bench—Justices Eric Ogolla, Anthony Mrima, and Freda Mugambi—to hear the matter. Gachagua’s legal team contested the constitutionality of that appointment, arguing that only the Chief Justice had the authority to assign such a panel.

Court upheld Gachagua’s challenge

On Friday, May 10, the Court of Appeal agreed with Gachagua’s legal challenge, ruling that Mwilu had acted beyond her mandate. The court further referred the matter to Chief Justice Martha Koome, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the process that led to Gachagua’s removal and Kindiki’s installation.

The Farmers Party cited this ruling as the basis for the planned protest, describing Gachagua as the “rightful holder of the office” of Deputy President. In its communication, the party stated: “We the party and members of the public will be holding a peaceful procession… to reinstall Rigathi Gachagua as the Deputy President-designate of the Republic of Kenya.”

The party emphasized its intention to uphold the rule of law and constitutional order, referencing Gachagua’s election as Ruto’s running mate in the 2022 general election.

In a recent appearance at a church service in Juja, Gachagua said he remained confident that the judiciary would rule fairly. “We have judges of integrity who will give justice not only to Rigathi Gachagua but to the people of Kenya,” he told congregants.

The Farmers Party, which exited the Kenya Kwanza coalition in April 2025, accused the ruling alliance of “dishonesty, political infidelity, and disregard for the Constitution” in a statement explaining its departure.

Waititu, who leads the party, was impeached as Kiambu Governor in 2020 over Ksh.588 million graft charges and was later convicted and barred from holding public office for seven years.

The protest comes amid ongoing legal uncertainty over the deputy presidency and increasing political tension surrounding the Court of Appeal’s ruling.