Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has unveiled his legal team in hopes of securing a quick acquittal during his impeachment trial set for the coming week in Parliament.
The DP on Saturday named five lawyers who will lead a group of 20 in representing him in the impeachment trial on October 8, 2024, a few days after Members of Parliament (MPs) who are allied to President William Ruto launched a motion to remove him from office for allegedly stirring ethnic hatred and undermining the government.
The lawyers he has enlisted include heavy hitters and some popular names with their own controversial roles in some of the most historic legal battles in the country. Together, they must maintain DP Gachagua’s support in the Parliament while arguing his case to a broader jury: voters watching at home.
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Leading the battery of lawyers will be Paul Muite, a senior lawyer and an advocate of the High Court of Kenya with over five decades of legal practice. One of Kenya’s most well-known lawyers, Muite made a national name for himself by defending such high-profile clients as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) during the 2017 General Elections, the four ousted IEBC commissioners, famous as ‘Cherera 4,’ immediately after the 2022 polls and, most recently, successfully defending former Embu Governor Martin Wambora against an impeachment motion.
Next on the list is Victor Swanya, another household name in legal circles who has represented a wide range of clients, from mobsters to political figures. Concerning DP Gachagua’s case, he has said: “We have looked through the accusations of his excellency the Deputy President, and we are prepared.”
The third DP’s lawyer is Tom Maina Macharia, who manages the law firm of MAM Advocates, the preeminent firm for all civil litigation, which also offers companies general outside counsel spanning the transactional, environmental, banking, and real estate.
Lawyer Macharia is ranked in Band 4 out of 6 in Chambers and Partners, the leading independent professional legal research company, due to his technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence and commitment.
The fourth is Amos Kisilu, a trial lawyer attorney and a founding member of the law firm of Kisilu & Company Advocates. He is considered one of the top personal injury and financial lawyers renowned for his relentless and forceful approach when fighting for his client’s rights to win them the compensation they deserve.
Finally, closing the list of the five leading lawyers who will lead DP Gachagua’s team of legal minds is Elisha Ongoya, an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and Partner, Ongoya & Wambola Advocates. He is a specialist in private law, which he teaches as a senior lecturer at Kabarak University.
