Uhuru, Ruto allies clash over verdict that Waiguru remains as clean as a whistle

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen was among the senators that led the onslaught discrediting the report.

Senators allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto yesterday clashed bitterly over the report that saved Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru from impeachment.

Allies of Dr Ruto described the verdict by the 11-member Senate select committee as a sham. They claimed the Cleophas Malala-led team was put in place with a pre-determined outcome of reversing the impeachment by the Kirinyaga County Assembly.

But senators in Uhuru and Raila Odinga’s camp said the decision was just to the people of Kirinyaga and the county boss. They said the committee refused to be influenced by external forces serving hidden political agenda.

Embattled senators Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet), Susan Kihika (Nakuru) and Samson Cherargei (Nandi) led the onslaught discrediting the report, with claims the Senate committee was used to sanitise the process.

They said earlier fears and stand that the committee was probing the matter with an outcome determined elsewhere had been confirmed. 

“This is a report no one should associate with,” said Cherargei, adding: “The sanitising of the governor through muosho moja (single wash) denied Kirinyaga people justice. This is a blow to the fight against corruption.” Cherargei claimed it was apparent that those in support of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) were under protection by powerful individuals.

Murkomen said he had predicted that the charges against Waiguru would be dismissed. “I told you before. Failure to have consistency makes people out there think we are not a Senate but sanitisers,” he said.

Kihika accused the House of being under influence from external forces and praised the County Assembly for refusing to be influenced and intimidated.

Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio (West Pokot) and his minority counterpart James Orengo, however said the committee made its decision based on the evidence produced by the accusers. They asked MCAs not to abuse Impeachment Motion to settle political scores. Orengo echoed the sentiments.

He told off senators who disparage the House for populist reasons, saying they were damaging the reputation of the Senate.

“I want to assure the people of Kirinyaga what the senate has done is within the law. Kirinyaga County Assembly will continue to carry on its oversight role,” said Orengo.