NAIROBI—Probe on the proposed removal of Wajir Governor Mohamed Mohamud by way of impeachment will be conducted by an 11-member committee and not plenary.
Senators on Thursday formed the panel to investigate the charges preferred against the county chief.
Some 37 out of 47 Wajir MCAs voted to impeach him for alleged gross misconduct, gross violation of the constitution and abuse of office.
The committee will be chaired by Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni who will be deputised by Susan Kihika of Nakuru.
Members who will be in the Committee include Senators Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), Mwangi Githiomi (Nyandarua), Godana Hargura (Marsabit), Mithika Linturi (Meru), Fred Outa (Kisumu), Agnes Muthama (Machakos), Issa Juma (Kwale) and Nominated Senators Petronilla Were and Christine Zawadi.
Governor Mohamud was impeached on April 27 in a vote supported by 37 MCAs against 10.
Among the grounds the MCAs leveled against the governor include gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, poor service delivery and gross misconduct among others.
“Committee to investigate the proposed removal of the governor from office by way of impeachment and report to the senate within ten days of its appointment on whether it finds the particulars of allegations to have been substantiated,” Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisio said.
“I happen to have acted against this governor that is to be impeached, in a petition before the Supreme Court and for that reason, at the time my name will be called upon, I will abstain from voting on the basis of that Supreme Court matter,” Orengo said.
The team will have 10 days to investigate and file a report to the house recommending his removal or not. If six out of the 11 members reject the removal, the impeachment bid flops.
However, if the majority endorse the removal, then the case will be subjected to a debate and a vote taken at the end on the floor.
Two senators from Wajir—Dr Abdullahi Kabreta and Farhia Haji—vehemently opposed the idea of forming a committee saying such move would discourage the pursuit of justice by “the people of Wajir.”
“Last night, the supporters of the Governor were celebrating that the matter will go committee way and the Governor will survive; money exchanged hands,” Farhia told the Senate.
Senator Kabreta said: “Let’s allow the plenary so that the county assembly will say what they have to say. As the Senator for Wajir I will say what I have to say.
“But if we always want to hide behind committees, that will not be fair, that will not be good for the people of Wajir. The people of Wajir might even curse the Senate because this is not the right way to go.”
From the record, no Governor was ever axed after their case was subjected to a committee. Former Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko and his Kiambu counterpart Ferdinand Waititu faced the plenary during their trial.
