- Gachagua alleges President Ruto has ordered Kindiki to remove CJ Martha Koome.
- Claims Ruto wants the Chief Justice seat to shift from Mt. Kenya East.
- Suggests Kindiki faces removal as Deputy President if he fails to comply.
- Accuses Ruto of planning to restructure the judiciary for political control.
- Alleges petitions against Koome are state-sponsored.
In a sensational interview with KTN on Monday, January 24, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki risks losing his position if he fails to execute an alleged directive from President William Ruto to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome.
“Mr. Yes Sir has been given the responsibility to ensure that Martha Koome is removed from her position,” Gachagua alleged.
According to Gachagua, Ruto reportedly argues that Mt. Kenya East cannot hold both the presidency and the Chief Justice position simultaneously, hence the push to replace Koome with a candidate from another region.
“Since Mr. Yes Sir holds the presidency, and Martha Koome leads the Judiciary, the President has warned him that if Koome is not removed, he will lose his job,” he added.
Petitions Against Koome ‘State-Sponsored’
Gachagua further alleged that the petitions submitted to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) seeking Koome’s removal are part of Ruto’s plan and are being sponsored by Kindiki due to the President’s pressure.
“President Ruto schemed a long time ago to remove Justice Martha Koome because she refused to be compromised,” Gachagua stated.
He claimed that while he was still in office, Ruto had shared his intention to remove Koome and even pressured him to manage her to align with government interests.
Ruto’s Alleged Plan to Control Judiciary and IEBC
Beyond the regional balancing narrative, Gachagua suggested that Ruto is keen on restructuring the judiciary to influence electoral outcomes.
“Beyond removing Koome, Ruto wants to control the entire electoral process— from IEBC to the Supreme Court—to secure favorable outcomes for his administration,” he alleged.
The claims add a new twist to the ongoing political tensions within Kenya Kwanza, raising concerns about potential interference in judicial independence and the future of Deputy President Kindiki.
