Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has suffered a major setback after the Supreme Court dismissed his application seeking to halt impeachment proceedings ongoing at the High Court.

In a unanimous ruling delivered on Friday, January 30, a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice Martha Koome held that the Supreme Court can only issue stay orders on matters before the Court of Appeal, not the High Court.

The judges ruled that Gachagua’s request fell outside the court’s jurisdiction, allowing the High Court case to proceed.

The apex court also dismissed a separate application seeking to strike out documents and a cross-appeal, noting that the issues raised were central to determining the appeal on merit.