Governor Badilisha downplays impeachment motion

Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha when appeared before the Senate Committee Lands, Environment and Natural Resources at the Senate Chambers ,Parliament on April 25, 2023. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

Defiant Nyandarua Governor Moses Kiarie, alias Badilisha, has played down an attempt to remove him from office, describing it as a ‘political sideshow.’

Speaking a day after Mirangine Ward Representative Samuel Mathu filed a notice of special motion to impeach him at the assembly, Governor Kiarie asked Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to focus on development.

“This is no time for politics. We are focusing on development and not sideshows. We are busy working to deliver on our promises to the people of Nyandarua,” he said.

He urged MCAs to focus on development and engage the executive on important matters to avoid past divisions between the assembly and the executive.

“We don’t want the past to haunt us. Let us all work as a team to develop Nyandarua,” he noted.

He spoke as 26 ward representatives appended their signatures to the motion to remove the governor over alleged violation of the constitution and gross misconduct.

The assembly has a total of 41 MCAs with 14 of them nominated.

The Clerk of the County Assembly Mukiri Muchiri has acknowledged receiving the notice of motion, saying it will go through the legal process.

In his motion, Mathu accuses the governor of illegal hiring of staff, and appointment of unqualified personnel to serve in his administration, among other claims.

The assembly Majority chief whip Maria Kaburu said the majority of members have supported the motion.

 “We already have the numbers. We are just waiting for the date to be set by the assembly leadership,” she said.

She termed the move as long overdue.

“This has been two years of oppression and corruption. The governor has continuously violated the constitution and we cannot allow it anymore. That is why we are in support of this motion,” said the UDA-nominated MCA.

The Deputy Majority Leader Muhindi Kariuki was confident that the motion would sail through.

He claimed the motion had the blessings of the UDA party’s top leadership.

“As a party, we cannot allow corruption and violations of the constitution. I can confirm that we have the blessings of our leaders. This will not be allowed in Nyandarua,” he said

In an affidavit presented to the county assembly clerk, Mathu argues that the governor has committed several acts that violate the constitution for the last two years.

He claims to have collected evidence since November 11 that proves his case.

He said these are proof of persistent and dishonourable acts, and he will prove this once the motion is tabled in the county assembly.

“I have proof of persistent, incredible, dishonourable, and commission acts by the governor over the last two years, which amount to gross violations of the constitution,” he says in the affidavit.

“This also amounts to violations of the county laws and gross misconduct over the last two years,” he adds.

Mathu termed the matter as ‘general notoriety’.