The opposition leaders said the grounds used by the National Assembly and the Senate to remove Gachagua from office were politically driven and did not meet constitutional and procedural thresholds.
Speaking at a church service at the Prophetic Embassy Church of All Nations in Mombasa on Sunday, Gachagua and his allies called on the court to uphold the Constitution and demonstrate independence as the case comes up before a three-judge bench.
“We have faith in our judicial system to deliver justice to Rigathi Gachagua, his supporters, and the people of Kenya. We trust that the three judges will do what is right, apply the law… and also uphold the Constitution of Kenya,” Gachagua said.
DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa said the Judiciary remains the “last line of defence”, adding that the hearings would test its independence.
“Our judiciary is our last line of defence. It remains the only institution that has not been captured. Beginning tomorrow, that independence will be put to the test,” Wamalwa said.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka argued that Gachagua’s ouster was carried out “by fiat” and that the Constitution was not followed.
“He was removed by fiat… because the Constitution itself was not followed. It was political mobilisation, less national interest,” Kalonzo said.
Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi claimed both Houses were compromised during the process, saying some allegations were rejected but others were used to push through the impeachment.
“Even the Senate, compromised as it was, some of the allegations they said no… but because you don’t have to prove all the allegations, they said let’s hold on to these few. All of it trumped up,” Muturi said.
Elsewhere, People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua and Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i, who attended separate church services in Kirinyaga and Murang’a counties respectively, renewed criticism of President William Ruto’s administration over alleged corruption and service delivery.
Matiang’i urged the government to prioritise school funding ahead of the new term, claiming money used for mobilisation should instead support education.
Karua, on her part, accused the government of presiding over what she described as a “network of theft”, saying Kenyans do not have a problem paying for national health insurance but object to funds being lost through corruption.
The United Opposition leaders later held public engagements in Bamburi and Changamwe in Mombasa.
