Impeached Deputy President Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua has changed his prayers to be reinstated back in office and instead now wants a full compensation for the five years he would have served in office.
His grounds for filing the petition still remain the same, unlawful impeachment, but instead of asking to be reinstated he’s now claiming for damages.
Through veteran lawyer Paul Muite Gachagua is requesting the court to grant him leave to revise his original prayers.
The court has been informed that he will now pursue compensation equivalent to what he would have earned had he served the full five-year term.
“The petitioner wishes to challenge the legality of his impeachment and will be seeking leave to amend the prayers. He will be asking for the money he would have earned had he served the full five-year term,” lawyer Muite told a Nairobi court.
The lawyer indicated that he will not be filing an interlocutory application, and therefore requested the court to assign a date for the hearing as soon as possible.
“This petition is not a matter of public interest. It is a personal matter that directly affects the petitioner, who is the one impeached,” Muite said.
A national tabloid revealed that Gachagua could have opted for the compensation package because it’s quite hefty, taking into account that the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya earns KES 1.27 million monthly gross and is also entitled to a retirement benefit of 80% of the monthly salary as well as other emoluments.
Judges Eric Ogolla, Fred Mugambi and Anthony Murima set June 18 as the date of hearing of the fresh prayers.
The respondents in the case did not object to Gachagua’s application to amend the petition.
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