Why ward reps want to oust Kisii deputy governor
The impeachment trial of embattled Kisii deputy governor Dr Robert Monda will commence this morning with the County Assembly laying bare their grievances before the Senators why the DG should not continue holding office.
The MCAs accuse Monda of gross violation of the constitution, abuse of office, gross misconduct and crimes under national law.
Monda is accused of using his position to solicit Sh800,000 thereby conferring a financial benefit upon himself and attempting to influence Gusii Water and Sanitation Company (GWASCO)’s hiring decision by sending a Sh100,000 to its Managing Director.
“The Deputy Governor contravened Article 75 of the Constitution by attempting to influence the appointment process for the position of Commercial Manager at GWASCO by offering a bribe to its Managing Director, Ms Lucy Wahito Wachira,” reads part of the charges tabled at the Senate.
The accusers further state that the deputy governor breached the Bribery Act by soliciting and receiving bribes of Sh800,000 and sending Sh100,000 to the managing director of GWASCO so as to influence the award of a contract of employment to a preferred interviewee.
The accusers further state that the deputy governor breached the Bribery Act by soliciting and receiving bribes of Sh800,000 and sending Sh100,000 to the managing director of GWASCO so as to influence the award of a contract of employment to a preferred interviewee.
The embattled DG is accused of violating the Constitution by soliciting and receiving a bribe to influence the recruitment process at the GWASCO and breaching the Leadership and Integrity Act and Public Officer Ethics Act therefore compromising the integrity of a public recruitment institution for personal gain.
The DG is accused of violating the constitution by soliciting and receiving a bribe to influence the recruitment process at the GWASCO and breaching the Leadership and Integrity Act and Public Officer Ethics Act compromising the integrity of a public recruitment institution for personal gain.
The MCAs have lined up Ndegwa Njiru, Elias Mutuma, Ndegwa Charles, Anna Munyoki as legal representatives while the embattled DG has lined up Katwa Kigen, Wilkins Ochoki, Kelvin Muchuki and Osoro as his legal representatives.
Lawyer Njiru was the lead counsel in the impeachment trial of former Embu governor Martin Wambora while Mutuma was the lead counsel in the impeachment trial of Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza.
“We assure the Senate of our full cooperation and adherence to all procedural rules governing the impeachment proceedings. We are committed to upholding the principles of fairness, justice, and due process throughout the defence proceedings,” said Kigen.
Kigen in his response filing at the Senate has written to the Speaker Amason Kingi asking to take notice of the preliminary points of law and to rule on them before the start of the process.
Both who successfully defended their clients and worn the cases, have now teamed up to convince the lawmakers on why Monda should be impeached.
The County Assembly who are the accusers will be relying on three witnesses David Haggai Oyagi, Gladys Aminga and Enock Maranga and affidavits from Dennis Mokaya Misati and Lucy Wahito.
The DG has further lined up Joseph Misati, Ann Misati, Thomas Obare, Amos Onderi, Lilian Anyango and Kisii Contractors Association Secretary General.
Last week, a motion to establish an 11-member committee to investigate the allegations and report back to the House within 10 days collapsed after Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot (Kericho) while moving the motion to establish the select committee failed to get a seconder of the motion.
The DG’s team will get to rebut the allegations fronted by the County Assembly on Thursday.
This is the fourth impeachment hearing in the 13th Parliament, and the second one involving a deputy governor.