Waititu impeached: Only 1 MCA voted to save him

By , K24 Digital
On Thu, 19 Dec, 2019 16:15 | < 1 min read
Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu when he appeared in court recently over the Sh588 million corruption case. Photo/FILE

Chants of "Waititu must go" rent the air at the Kiambu County Assembly on Thursday as ward representatives voted to impeach the embattled governor.

The Speaker had a difficult time establishing order in the assembly with one of the ward reps being kicked out.

Sixty-three MCAs voted to impeach Ferdinand Waititu with only 1 voting to save the governor. Twenty-eight MCAs missed the session.

Reasons for impeachment

The ward reps cited gross violation of the Constitution of Kenya, the County Government Act, 2012, Public Finance Management Act, 2012 and Public Procurement and Disposable Act 2015.

They also claimed that there is lack of accountability in the management of county resources by the incurring of unsustainable debts.

Further, the ward reps accused Waititu of disregarded the county assembly as an arm of the county government by diverting funds intended for use by the assembly to projects where he would obtain personal benefits through irregular procurement.

The ward reps also accused Waititu of dispossessing Ms Cecilia Njoki Mbugua, a widow, of two prime plots of land within Thika Municipality and facilitated transfer of tiles to Mrs Esteher Wamuyu Nyatu.

Lastly, they accused the embattled county of abuse of office and gross misconduct.

Waititu is facing corruption charges over Sh588 million irregular procurement for a road tender.

Following his charging with corruption, Waititu was barred from his office and transacting county affairs, a role that went to his deputy, Dr James Nyoro, with whom they have had a fractious relationship.