Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, once anti-Gachagua, now shocks Kenyans by joining his legal team

Popular city lawyer Ndegwa Njiru has left many a little confused after joining Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's legal team - less than two months after repeatedly using his X platform to attack the country’s second-in-command.

Njiru, who has recently represented some noteworthy political personalities in Kenya, taking on several high-profile legal challenges, is now part of Gachagua's legal arsenal - a fact he confirmed on his X account on the evening of October 7th.

He wrote: "Humbled to be in the DP Riggy G defence team…Let sanity prevail. In God we trust."

This new turn of events is, however, in sharp contrast to his earlier stance on the impeachment motion against the Gachagua - more than once, Njiru used his online platform to deride the Deputy President and openly show support for the impeachment.

For instance, August 13, he wrote: "I warned the Mt.Kenya TUGEGES that the former DO who is Kagege 001, @rigathi call for our unity was, is and will always be ill-willed. He wants to auction us to Zakayo for the second time...This time round bwana DO, we are not boarding!"

A little earlier, he said: "I pity @rigathi. Your goose is cooked. The Mathira man will be IMPEACHED by the Coalition of an octogenerian and a war monger."

As the National Assembly prepared itself to debate the motion to impeach Gachagua, the man of the day hired about 20 lawyers to defend him against 11 charges in the motion seeking to ouster him - among them Ndegwa Njiru. 

The lawyers, led by Senior Counsel Paul Muite, will be fighting to save the DP’s position and they include some of those who represented former President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2017 presidential election petition, and others involved in the 2022 presidential election petitions.

They include; Victor Swanya, George Wandati, Faith Waigwa, Elisha Ongoya, George Sakimpa, Murigi Kamande, Willis Otieno, Amos Kisilu, Tom Macharia and Julia Omwamba.

Swanya expressed confidence in their strategy on Saturday, saying the team is well prepared to fight the accusations against the Deputy President.

“We have Senior Counsel Paul Muite; he’s the one who is leading us. We have counsels Tom Macharia, Amos Kisilu, Elisha Ongoya, and others. We have looked through the points, the accusations against the Deputy President, and we’re prepared to deal with them,” Swanya told Citizen TV.

Njiru, on his part, has been part of monumental cases nationally. He was one of the lawyers at the Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza ouster proceedings.

He also represented former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu, who was recently arrested for cyber crimes. Additionally, he joined Kalonzo Musyoka in former Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria's corruption case.

Njiru was also businessman James Wanjohi's lawyer. Wanjohi had been linked to claims of Visa fraud that reportedly affected 4,000 Kenyans who claimed to have lost over Ksh.600 million to his company.

Not one to regret his choices, Njiru also took time to shoot down detractors, telling them off and remaining committed to his new-found legal calling.

One displeased individual on X told him, "Ndugu @NjiruAdv, after he's successfully impeached, I want us to have a private meeting at our usual place because I need to know why you're ALWAYS on the wrong side of history. Ata kama ni pesa jameni..!"

To which Njiru replied: "I have neither a legal nor moral obligation to lie bare (sic) or even attempt to discuss my life with busy bodies like you. Row your boat brother."

I have neither a legal nor moral obligation to lie bare or even attempt to discuss my life with busy bodies like u. Row your boat brother. https://t.co/FBDUxyOwpD

I have neither a legal nor moral obligation to lie bare or even attempt to discuss my life with busy bodies like u. Row your boat brother. https://t.co/FBDUxyOwpD— Ndegwa Njiru Adv. (@NjiruAdv) October 8, 2024