Innocent but 'guilty': Gachagua's absurd impeachment verdict pits lawyers against Judiciary

Legal experts and lawyers are voicing strong criticism over the High Court's recent verdict concerning the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua. The court's decision to uphold the impeachment while simultaneously awarding Gachagua Sh50 million for a violation of his right to a fair hearing has been described as contradictory and absurd. Critics argue that the ruling effectively declares Gachagua 'guilty' of impeachment charges, yet acknowledges that his fundamental rights were breached during the process. This apparent paradox has ignited debate about the integrity and logic of the judiciary's findings. The legal fraternity questions how an individual can be deemed impeached based on proceedings that were themselves found to be unfair. The substantial financial award, intended as compensation for the violation, further complicates the interpretation of the impeachment's validity. The verdict has placed the judiciary under scrutiny, with many questioning the coherence of its judicial pronouncements.

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The court has essentially found him guilty and yet awarded him damages for a flawed process. It is an absurd verdict.