The fate of embattled Kisii Deputy Governor Robert Monda now lies with the Senate, which will in the next two days determine whether he will continue serving or be impeached as recommended by the Kisii County Assembly two weeks ago.
On Wednesday, the Senate will allow the County Assembly to give evidence supporting its decision to impeach Monda with four witnesses lined up. On the second day, Mr Monda will have a chance to defend himself against four charges levelled against him.
"The Senate resolves to alter its hours of meetings on Wednesday and Thursday morning and afternoon sittings until the conclusion of business listed in the order paper of the day, in order to investigate the proposed removal from office by the impeachment of Dr Robert Monda, the Deputy Governor of Kisii County," said Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
The deputy governor is facing charges of gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, gross misconduct, and crimes under national law. Senators are expected to vote on each of the charges with a verdict of guilty leading to his impeachment.
Monda is accused of having improperly used his office to confer a benefit to himself when he solicited Sh800,000 from Dennis Mokaya and his family under the pretext of securing him the job of commercial manager at Gusii Water and Sanitation Company(GWASCO).
He is accused of sending Sh100,000 to GWASCO Managing Director Lucy Wahito to influence Mokay's employment. His request, however, was rejected and the money returned through M-Pesa.
The deputy governor is accused of misusing Kisii County enforcement officers for personal benefit by deploying a contingent of 20 officers to arrest his brother, Reuben Monda, for cutting down trees the brother had planted.
The County Assembly will be represented by Ndegwa Njiru, Elias Mutuma, Charles Mwangi Ndegwa and Anna Munywoki. Monda will be represented by Katwa Kigen, Wilkins Ochoki and Kelvin Machuki.
