Some Kilifi County residents have strongly condemned the impeachment motion targeting Speaker Teddy Mwambire, terming it a political witch-hunt driven by 2027 succession politics.

The residents, led by Accountability Assembly 003 Patriots Chairperson Charles Chigiri, said the motion tabled by Tezo Ward MCA Tom Chengo is not for the benefit of Kilifi people but an attempt by a section of MPs who are benefiting from County tenders.

“As residents, we are very disappointed with the move taken by the MCAs. This motion will not solve water problems or health service issues. This is about 2027 succession plans,” he said.

He said the grounds laid out in the motion do not hold any water, but are a calculated move to kick out the speaker.

“How can you say the speaker had interfered with the budget-making process when the process is still ongoing?” asked Chigiri.

Another ground in the motion is Mwambire being the speaker and also serving as ODM county chairperson; however, Chigiri opposed the argument, insisting that other national leaders serve in similar capacities.

“We have Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula and his Senate counterpart, Amason Kingi, both hold party positions. Why do they push for those top leaders to vacate office?” said Chigiri.

Chigiri warned that if the motion sails through, he will file a case before the court demanding the resignation of Speaker Wetang’ula and Kingi, respectively.

Sign motion

Alex Kalama, a resident of Dabaso Ward, said several MCAs were forced to sign the motion.

“We are aware, MCAs are being intimidated by some MPs who are benefiting from County tenders. Initially, they refused to sign, but later several of them signed under pressure and threats of being denied development funds,” said Kalama.

He warned that the MCAs risk being bumped after the mission.

Maurice Mwatsuma, another resident from Sokoni Ward, accused the assembly of failing in its oversight role. He said the speaker is being targeted for demanding accountability.

Mwatsuma and Kalama together accused Governor Gideon Mung’aro of fanning division within the county assembly to achieve personal political gains.

Mung’aro has been eying the ODM county chairperson, a position currently held by the speaker.

“It has come to the limelight that the MCA’s went to Voi to discuss impeachment plans and not the budget as portrayed. As residents, we express our disappointment with the governor’s move. We are warning him to stop using the speaker as a sacrificial lamb to cover up his failures,” said Mwatsuma.

The impeachment motion against the speaker has stirred political temperatures in Kilifi County, with people warning that it could trigger deeper rifts in the county’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.