Samboja survives impeachment motion

Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja (pictured) has survived an impeachment motion after the Senate found that the allegations made against him were not sufficiently substantiated.

Instead, the Senate Select Committee has recommended that the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) investigate the issues raised by the Taita Taveta County Assembly on irregular purchases and failure to remit statutory deductions to the relevant State agencies.

A report tabled by the Senate committee, which was chaired by Njeru Ndwiga (Embu), found that the particulars of the allegations against the governor did not meet the threshold for impeachment.

Senate report

“The committee, having investigated the matter in accordance with its mandate under Section 33(4) of the County Government Act and Standing Order 75(2) of the Senate Standing Order, reports to the Senate that it finds none of the particulars of the allegations against the governor were proved or substantiated,” reads the report.

Taita Taveta ward representatives had levelled seven charges against the county boss, including includes gross misconduct, misleading the people of Taita Taveta, misappropriation of funds, failure to submit to the county assembly an annual report on the implementation status of county policies and plans, and failure to deliver an annual State of the County address.

To reconcile the governor and his MCAs, the Embu Senator-led select committee recommended a mediation process to be spearheaded by the Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee.

The committee, however, took issue with the statutory timelines for the conclusion of the impeachment process, saying the 10-day period is not adequate and there is need to amend the law to extend it.