The embattled Governor of Kiambu county, Ferdinand Waititu was today impeached by his county assembly over alleged abuse of office and gross misconduct.
63 Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) voted to oust Waititu, 1 voted against while 28 were absent. The vote results were met with cheers in the Kiambu county assembly hall, in what is seen as a vastly popular move.
The County Governments Act (2012) requires a two-thirds majority in a county assembly vote following the presentation of a motion to impeach to the County Assembly Speaker.
The county assembly speaker must then formally notify the Speaker of the Senate at national level within two days of the passing of the motion. The Senate is then charged with appointing an 11-member committee to investigate the matter within a maximum of 10 days.
A vote on the impeachment is then conducted within the Senate if there is sufficient evidence to remove the sitting governor and after he or she has been accorded a fair hearing. Only a clear majority is required to make the impeachment decisive.
Waititu’s woes began in July 2019 when he was charged with 6 corruption-related counts relating to an irregular tender worth Kes 580 million.
His wife, 8 county employees and 3 companies, were also charged alongside the Governor. He was later barred from office or conducting county business by a the High Court ruling of Justice Mumbi Ngugi in August 2019 that compels governors to cease from official duty until they are cleared of criminal charges.