Waiguru impeached

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has been impeached for gross misconduct and violation of the Constitution of Kenya.

Twenty three (23) out of the 33-member County Assembly voted in favour of Governor Waiguru’s removal.

Four (4) MCAs abstained from voting, whereas six were absent from the House, said County Assembly Speaker Anthony Waweru.

A two-thirds vote composition (22) was needed to ensure Waiguru's ouster bid succeeds.

The impeachment motion against Waiguru was tabled in the Kirinyaga County Assembly on March 31, 2020 by MCA for Mutira Ward, David Kinyua Wangui.

Wangui accused Waiguru of, among other wrongdoings, abuse of office, gross misconduct and violation of the Constitution of Kenya.

In the lead-up to the voting for Waiguru ouster, the Mutira ward rep enjoyed support of at least 24 out of the 33 MCAs in Kirinyaga County.

Wangui alleged that Waiguru deliberately failed to submit county plans and policies to the County Assembly for approval.

He further claimed that Waiguru intentionally failed to issue the State of the County Address, “thus undermining the County assembly’s authority”.

The county chief is also accused of irregularly awarding tenders and buying a county vehicle without tendering, claims which the governor has since denied.

In April 2020, Waiguru moved to the High Court in Nairobi and successfully obtained a legal order suspending the tabling of the impeachment motion against her.

She has since vowed to sue the County Assembly Speaker for contempt of court after Anthony Waweru gave a greenlight for the MCAs to debate on the removal bid.

Speaker Waweru is now expected to forward records of the Waiguru-impeachment poll to Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka, who will give a way forward in regard to senators sealing the fate of the embattled county boss.

The senators would decide whether the Waiguru ouster will be heard and determined by a special committee or the whole plenary.

According to Senate Standing Order 175, the impeachment ends at the committee level if it determines that the charges do not merit.

More soon.