The Murang'a County Assembly yesterday overwhelmingly voted to impeach Governor Mwangi wa Iria, citing gross abuse of office, failure to manage county resources and violation of the Constitution. All eyes will now be on the Senate, which will either vote to confirm or reject his impeachment based on the evidence against him.
The impeachment motion moved by nominated MCA Mary Waithira was supported overwhelmingly by 34 MCAs against 15, who defended the governor. Wa Iria becomes the second governor from the region to face the wrath of MCAs following the impeachment of Embu Governor Martin Wambora. Wambora's matter is currently pending in court after he challenged his ouster, which was upheld by the Senate. If the evidence against him is found wanting, the Senate will overturn the decision as it did in the case of Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony.
And it appears the wave of impeachment in the region is gathering pace, with Nyeri MCAs said to be planning to start the process of removing Governor Nderitu Gachagua. Gachagua has, however, remained defiant, daring the MCAs to make good their threats.
At the assembly yesterday, the debate was preceded by attempts by unknown people to set ablaze Speaker Nduati Kariuki's office and a vehicle belonging to the county assembly. There was heavy police presence at the assembly premises, with only journalists and a few residents allowed at the gallery to follow the proceedings.
In a four-hour deliberation, the assembly listed down grounds that included mismanagement of resources, misappropriation of funds, failure to establish county budget and economic forums, among others, as the reason the governor should be shown the door.
The matter will be submitted to the Senate for investigations. A letter from the governor's office indicated that county secretaries were to blame for the messes. Seconding the motion, Kamacharia MCA Joseph Machiri said the governor had become arrogant to other elected leaders and had failed miserably in service delivery.
"The office of the Auditor General had raised issues of gross misappropriation of funds and using the county resources in functions of the national government," said Machiri.
Ng'ariria MCA James Kariuki accused the governor of using county allocations to promote his name in the media and ignoring the assembly. Kariuki described the governor as a failure in the public sector, having done badly even in companies.
"Governors who have proved their mettle are those who had served as MPs or have been politicians while those from the corporate world have failed miserably," said Kariuki.
Nginda MCA Jesse Mburu claimed he was promised Sh400,000 on Tuesday to reject the motion. Supporting the ouster, Mburu cited the construction of Gakoigo stadium, which he described as a fraud, saying Sh30 million was budgeted yet the county government incurred a debt of Sh59 million.
But opposing the motion, Erick Kamande (Kahumbu) said devolution had challenges, and that the assembly had failed to guard against misappropriation.
Assembly committees, he said, had failed to play their oversight role.
"There was need to invite the procurement oversight authority and other bodies to conduct investigations," said Kamande.