Mohamed Abdi’s last hope to reverse his loss is gone, for good

NAIROBI—The last hope deposed former Governor of Wajir, Mohamed Abdi was clutching on dashed Friday afternoon after the Council of Governors released a statement that contained nothing to show the body was prepared to challenge his ouster. 

When the photos of Abdi attending the extraordinary full-house meeting was splashed on social media, his supporters heaved with a sigh of relief, but it was short lived.

The Council stated the purpose of the meeting, saying it was all about “appreciating the fact that impeachment is both a legal and a political process, the rule of law should prevail while undertaking the same. All the bodies involved should ensure that they are guided by the Constitution and the principles laid down by the courts on the threshold of impeachment.”

The Council made a vague comments on the impeachment of the governor and hardly mentioned any steps they would take to reverse the situation in his favor. 

The statement instead warned the legislators against “abusing” the legal process.

“The Council assures the public that it values integrity and accountability in the running of public affairs in the Counties. 

“Nevertheless, oversight bodies must remain cognizant of the legal principles surrounding impeachment so that the exercise is not abused. The Council shall engage relevant institutions with a view to streamlining court pronouncements with the law so that the impeachment process can be anchored in legitimacy and impartiality,” the Council said in part.

According to several sources who were privy to the planning of the meeting, the Governor was hopeful when he arrived but left visibly in despair. Former governor Abdi was banking on the political might of the council to exert more pressure on the Courts and other relevant institutions to overturn what he termed as “hurriedly done” takeover ceremony.

The Senate upheld the impeachment of the governor by 11pm and a Gazette notice was available by seven the next morning. And by 9 am, the ceremony to install the new governor was underway in Wajir. 

At 11am, a new court order by a Meru judge was dispatched but it was too little too late. According to Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru who represents Abdi, the whole process had been stopped and Mohamed Abdi “is still the county boss.”

“The orders stay or suspend the implementation of the resolution by the Senate,” Ndegwa Njiru told The Standard shortly after he obtained the order. 

Courts usually open at 9 in the morning and by the time lawyers convince a judge to make a ruling in their favor, it’s past two hours. That’s the narrow timeline the orgernisors of the swift swearing ceremony used to finish the process of removing the governor from office since it’s very difficult to undo transfer of power.