Governor Kivutha Kibwana's impeachment regrettable, says Wiper leader Kalonzo

Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana who was yesterday impeached by members of his county assembly.

Makueni, Kenya: Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has said he regretted at the impeachment of Makueni County Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana.

“I am deeply disappointed with what happened in Makueni,” Kalonzo told The Standard from South Africa.

The former Vice President who had earlier said he was doing his best to reconcile the Governor and the County Members of the Assembly asked to be called later for further discussion over the matter.

A section of the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) on Thursday voted to impeach the governor whose fate now lies in the Senate.

The assembly speaker Stephen Ngelu confirmed the necessary documents regarding the impeachment of the governor were taken to the Senate Friday.

“We had to move with speed to ensure the documents were delivered to the Senate after we learned that there was a plan by the Governor's team to move to court Friday morning to block the delivery", he told The Standard on telephone.

Wiper's East Africa Legislative Assembly member Peter Mathuki said it was unfortunate such a situation has taken place in Makueni County which has remained stable.

He said efforts by the party to reconcile the warring parties failed because of "suspicion" between the two groups.

“We felt as a party that dialogue should have been given a chance,” said Mathuki who asked the two groups to sober up for the benefit of Makueni residents.

When told of the Governor's impeachment, Mbooni MP Kisoi Munyao simply termed the move as "so sad".

The MP had last week distanced himself from the political differences between the Governor and the (MCAs).

He had said he did not support the planned impeachment of the governor nor the proposal to dissolve the county government over the persistent wrangles between the executive and the assembly.

"I personally do not support the impeachment of Prof Kibwana neither do I support calls for the dissolution of the county government," the MP declared last week.

Kisoi had said he would support a process that will bring the warring parties together in addition to identifying the root cause of their differences.

“Bringing new faces without first addressing the root cause of the issues the two arms of government are differing over may not offer any solution,” he was quoted saying.

Friday, Makueni MP Daniel Maanzo asked the governor's side to stop blaming the Wiper leader for the impeachment.

He said the best option to resolve the impasse was reconciliation “but we now have to wait for the Senate to decide the matter”.

Maanzo regretted the governor had begun a process to wind up the county government but the MCAs have outwitted him.

He said he did not see the ongoing signature collection exercise to have the county government dissolved going anywhere.