Governors commend Senate for sticking to law in clearing Dorothy Nditi

By JAMES MBAKA

The Deputy Governors’ Forum has hailed Senate for sticking to the law in clearing Embu Deputy Governor Dorothy Nditi.

Through the secretary of the forum, Joash Maangi, the forum said the vindication of Ms Nditi was confirmation that the corruption and abuse of office allegations levelled against her were not only malicious and unfounded but also unfortunate. Last month, the Embu County Assembly passed two motions of impeachment against the two, which resulted in the composition of an 11-member Senate committee to investigate the accusations.

The committee, chaired by Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale, cleared the deputy governor, arguing that the allegations were not supported by tangible evidence. The motion was the first of its kind to be filed since the devolved units became operational.

Dr Maangi, who is also the Kisii County deputy governor, affirmed that deputy governors played a secondary role in the management of the devolved units, with clear mandates to step into office when a vacancy arises in the office of the governor.

“The Senate has lived up to expectations and billing as the Upper House by providing sound guidance on the provisions of the law about deputy governors when it comes to impeachment procedures,” Maangi told The Standard On Saturday yesterday after Senate absolved Ms Nditi. He argued that the decision was a victory for the people of Embu whose right to the services of the county government would have been compromised if the two were sent home. Defending herself before the Senate committee, Nditi argued that while the law provided for the impeachment procedure of the governor, it was silent on how a deputy governor can be hounded out of office.