Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday announced his intention to file a petition before Chief Justice Martha Koome seeking the removal of Justice Esther Maina, alleging misconduct and corruption.
Lady Justice Esther Maina is the head of the Milimani High Court Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division.
Gachagua asserted that he would specifically target Justice Maina for declaring his wealth proceeds of crime without providing him with an opportunity to present his side.
The Deputy president made the announcement during a church service in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet, Gachagua. His onslaught continues the current criticism of the Judiciary by senior Kenya Kwanza leaders including his boss, President Ruto.
Gachagua claimed that the judicial arm of the government is corrupt and has failed to address evidence of corruption among its senior officers.
“I will lead by example on Thursday this coming week. I will personally present a petition before CJ Koome against Justice Esther Maina for her removal from the Judiciary for misconduct and corruption. She declared my hard-earned wealth as proceeds of crime without giving me an opportunity to be heard,” stated Deputy President Gachagua.
The DP also urged fellow Kenyans to join him in filing more petitions if they had grievances against the judiciary.
In July 2022, Justice Esther Maina ruled that Ksh202 million linked to Deputy President Gachagua was received from government agencies.
However, she found no evidence indicating that Gachagua had provided goods or services to the government, concluding that the funds were proceeds of crime. The money, deposited in a microfinance bank, was distributed across three accounts, with one holding Ksh165 million, the second Ksh35 million, and the third Ksh773,228.
Additionally, authorities seized Ksh1.1 million from a fourth account allegedly associated with Gachagua.
However, in February 2023, a Nairobi Court returned the funds to Gachagua, stating that he had presented sufficient evidence to warrant the unfreezing of the accounts.
