Declare Kidero unfit to hold office, petitioner urges court

By Pamela Chepkemei

Nairobi, Kenya: A man has moved to court seeking to have Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero declared unfit to hold office.

Benjamin Wambua has filed a petition at the High Court in Nairobi questioning the integrity of Dr Kidero to hold office.

Mr Wambua says Kidero has on numerous occasions conducted himself in a manner that demeans the office of the Governor of Nairobi.

He claims Kidero has transferred huge amounts of money to his private lawyer’s bank accounts and has attempted to use taxpayers’ money to settle legal costs of the suit between him and Nairobi Woman Representative Rachel Shebesh.

“Since he took office as governor of Nairobi, huge amounts of money have been transferred to his private advocate’s bank account without proper accountability,” says Wambua.

The litigant claims Kidero acted in a manner that demeaned the office of the governor when he engaged in a brawl with Shebesh in September last year.

Legal fees

The governor is also being accused of lying to the public that he never slapped Shebesh and then seeking pardon from her.

But the governor denies slapping Shebesh and attempting to use taxpayer’s money to settle his legal fees.He argues that there is no complaint pending against him by Shebesh.

High Court judge David Majanja Monday directed that the case be heard on March 27.

Wambua argues that Kidero’s actions contravened Article 175 of the Constitution, which requires public officers to conduct themselves in public, private, or official life in a manner that does not demean the offices they hold.

The petitioner also claims that Sh500 million has been misappropriated under Kidero’s leadership.

Wambua wants the court to declare him unfit to hold any public office and also declare the governor’s office vacant.

He has asked the court to declare that Kidero has involved himself in corrupt activities and should be banned from holding public office.