Former Attorney General and National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has spoken out strongly in support of Rigathi Gachagua’s status as Kenya’s Deputy President, amid a protracted legal and political battle over his 2024 impeachment.
Speaking on Saturday, July 5, 2025, during the burial of Gachagua’s aunt in Nyeri County, Muturi addressed the confusion surrounding Gachagua’s legitimacy, following his controversial removal from office in late 2024.
There is nobody in Kenya today by the name of a former Deputy President,” Muturi declared.
“The first one is the President, the second one is here with us… until the day we wait for the court’s decision, we do not know any other, it’s Rigathi Gachagua.”
The comments drew applause from supporters and underlined a growing political rift within the ruling coalition, as the country edges closer to the 2027 general election.
Background: A Contentious Impeachment
Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024 saw both the National Assembly and Senate vote to remove him from office. Following the vote, President William Ruto appointed then-Interior CS Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President, a move that sparked immediate constitutional debate and a court challenge.
Gachagua disputed the process, claiming due process was not followed during the proceedings. In response, the High Court issued conservatory orders, suspending the impeachment and maintaining the status quo until the case is fully heard and determined.
As of July 2025, the courts have not yet issued a final ruling, leaving Gachagua’s position legally ambiguous.
Muturi: Only Courts Can Decide
Muturi insisted that only the courts have the constitutional authority to settle such a matter.
Until the court rules otherwise, the Constitution must be respected. There is no room for political shortcuts in determining who is or isn’t the Deputy President,” he stated.
His remarks are seen as a direct rebuke to political leaders who have already begun referring to Gachagua as a “former” Deputy President, despite the ongoing court process.
Political Fallout and 2027 Outlook
The issue has further strained relations within the ruling coalition. Once a staunch ally of President Ruto, Gachagua has recently distanced himself from State House and emerged as a vocal critic of government decisions, especially those impacting his Mt Kenya political base.
Muturi’s open backing of Gachagua signals growing factional alignment within the coalition and may influence realignments ahead of the next election.
For now, the Deputy President’s chair remains at the center of legal interpretation and political contestation. According to Justin Muturi, and until the judiciary decides otherwise, Rigathi Gachagua remains Kenya’s Deputy President.
