Two motions to impeach governor, his deputy filed

BY JOSEPH MUCHIRI

KENYA: Two motions to impeach Embu Governor Martin Wambora have been filed at the local county assembly.

Members of the County Assembly want Mr Wambora and his deputy Dorothy Nditi removed over alleged abuse of office.

The two motions will be debated during the next sitting on January 24, when the MCAs resume sittings after the adjournment.

This came moments after Mbeere North MP Charles Njagagua told the governor to be wary of a censure or impeachment motion for failing to interdict the county secretary over corruption allegations.

The MP said he was shocked to learn that the County Secretary Margaret Kariuki had refused to step down despite passing two motions to interdict her by the county assembly.

Mr Njagagua faulted the governor for saying Ms Kariuki will continue serving in office as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission investigates her conduct in relation to the upgrading of Embu Stadium and the procurement of maize seeds.

The motion to impeach the governor was tabled by assembly Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Swaleh while the one to impeach Ms Nditi was tabled by Ndhawa MCA Ngari Makenge.

The motions separately resolved to remove Mr Wambora and Ms Nditi from office for gross violation of the Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2005, the Public Finance Management Act 2012, the County Governments Act 2012, and the Constitution. They all relate to abuse of office.

“Mr Speaker, I would like to confirm that this kind of notice is given by a third of the members of this assembly, and I would like to confirm that 25 members have approved this notice of the motion,” said Mr Swaleh.

Mr Makenge said the notice had been signed by over two thirds of the MCAs, as required by law.

The notices come two days after the governor said he would not interdict Ms Kariuki after the assembly passed two motions compelling her to step aside over corruption to pave way for investigations. But late Wednesday, the office of the Director of Governors Press Donah Njoki said Kariuki had stepped down.

Ms Njoki said Kariuki stepped aside voluntarily in a letter addressed to the governor to allow for investigations, which have already started.

Addressing the Press on Tuesday, Wambora had said the embattled county secretary would continue serving in office as various bodies investigate her.

“It is strange to investigate someone from outside her office. My government advocates for accountability and I welcome the relevant Government agencies and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to come and investigate her while in office,”  he said.