Nominated MCA Lucy Njeri protests after she was kicked out of the Kirinyaga Assembly during the debate of a motion that led to the impeachment of Governor Anne Waiguru. [Joseph Muchiri, Standard]
Three Kirinyaga MCAs who are key allies of Governor Anne Waiguru have been suspended from the County Assembly sittings for between four and six months for creating commotion during the governor’s impeachment.
The Assembly’s Powers and Privileges Committee expelled MCAs Patrick Chomba (Kabare), Anthony Munene (Karumande) and Lucy Njeri (nominated) for four, five and six months respectively for the disorder that arose and for using unparliamentary language.
Kiine Ward MCA Johnson Munene said the committee sitting resolved to expel the three MCAs for their unbecoming behaviour, and its report was then tabled before the House.
“They caused chaos and misbehaved during the impeachment motion debate. They also defied summons by the Powers and Privileges Committee where they would have defended themselves and apologise. So we took the disciplinary action against them and suspended them as per the weight of their cases,” Munene who chaired the committee told the press.
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In their rebuttal, the three ward reps claimed the Assembly was hitting back on them because of their unwavering support to Governor Waiguru, and vowed to move to court for redress.
“The truth of the matter is that we are being fought for standing by Waiguru during the impeachment. How will I serve the electorate when I’m barred from Assembly sittings?” Chomba posed.
Njeri said her constitutional rights were being stifled while the Kirinyaga people would suffer during that period, hence she will petition her suspension at the High Court.
Munene questioned the law that his colleagues used to suspend ward reps who differ on debates happening in the house.
On June 9 this year, the Assembly voted to impeach Waiguru, accusing her of gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office and gross misconduct. However, the Senate later overturned the impeachment.
As the impeachment motion proceeded, the pro-Waiguru MCAs led by Munene tried to disrupt the debate claiming his signature in support of the notice motion was forged.
“That was not the document that I signed,” he protested, even as Speaker Anthony Gathumbi ruled him out of order.
Things worsened when Majority Leader Kamau Murango accused Munene of being drunk, which the latter did not take lightly, triggering a bitter exchange of words.
The issue got out of hand as Munene received Njeri’s support who claimed the speaker had taken sides in the debate.
Other MCAs joined the fray with emotions running high from both camps and at some point threatened to degenerate into full-scale war.
The speaker ordered the ejection of Munene and Njeri from the House to restore order, then directed the motion to proceed.
