Senators uphold removal of Monda from office as Kisii Deputy Governor

The Senate has voted to remove from office Kisii Deputy Governor Robert Monda, upholding his impeachment by the County Assembly after finding him guilty of all the four charges he was accused of.

Senate found Monda guilty of gross violation of the Constitution, with 39 Senators voting yes and three voting no, while one abstained on the charge of abuse of office.

On the charge of gross misconduct; 35 Senators voted yes, seven voted no, and one abstained. On crimes under national law charge, 32 senators yes, nine voted no, with one abstaining.

The law required for the deputy governor to be found guilty in only one charge to be impeached.

Senate Majority Whip Boni Khalwale led the onslaught against Monda when he stood up to move the motion seeking to have him [the DG] kicked out of office by impeachment, saying that it was the time to celebrate the two women from Kisii who stood for integrity.

Khalwale said the arrogance of power displayed by what Monda did to his brother, Reuben, by dispatching enforcement officers to arrest him and that a split personality was witnessed when the key witness for the Deputy Governor- Joseph Misati- testified to betray his son, Dennis Mokaya.

The Kakamega Senator persuaded his colleagues to send Monda home since they had acquired enough evidence to prove that he received a Sh800,000 bribe from Mokaya.

"The madness we are seeing in this house where a father testifies against a son, and a deputy governor turns up against his brother, shows the evil that money can create in society. I beg my fellow Senators to vote to send Monda home," said Khalwale.

Migori Senator Eddie Oketch argued that all Kenyans have met a young person who is learned but unemployed, being asked to give a bribe to secure a job, saying the decision they make as senators would have a great impact on the future of the young generation.

When he stood to make his final remarks, Monda said that he regretted the scenario the house was put through and that he was embarrassed that family issues played out in the Senate, adding that it showed differences in political affiliations within most families.

"There has been a back and forth that had roped in religious leaders to resolve the matter. I thank you for granting us a chance to present our case, where I have fallen below expectations I tender my apologies," he said.

Monda becomes the first deputy governor to be removed from office under the 2010 Constitution.