The Court of Appeal has issued conservatory orders stopping the High Court from hearing cases filed by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua challenging his impeachment.

Justices Daniel Musinga, Mumbi Ngugi, and Francis Tuiyott issued a stay order on more than 40 cases challenging the impeachment, pending the determination of the appeal filed by Gachagua on the High Court's earlier judgment. "Meanwhile, the High Court proceedings are stayed to await the determination of the consolidated appeals," the Court of Appeal judges ruled.

The appellate court's decision came after the former DP challenged the High Court's three-judge bench overseeing the cases, arguing that they should not hear and determine petitions challenging his removal from office by the Senate.

This followed the High Court's dismissal of Gachagua's petition against the Deputy Chief Justice (DCJ)'s authority to empanel the bench presiding over his case.