DG Monda saga: Impeachment referred to public participation

Kisii County Assembly Speaker Machuki Nyanumba has referred an impeachment motion against the county’s Deputy Governor to a departmental committee for public participation.
Nyanumba gave the directive on Wednesday amid a tussle in the County Assembly to have Robert Monda’s ouster expedited.
The directive followed an adjournment motion by Assembly Majority Leader Henry Moracha who proposed public participation prompting a heated exchange between Members supporting Monda and his critics.
“It is only lawful that members of the public to give views on the impeachment,” Moracha told the Assembly.
Ichuni Ward MCA Wyclife Siocha who tabled the motion accused Monda of gross Misconduct, committing a crime under national law, abuse of office, and gross violation of the constitution.
Minority Leader Dennis Ombachi however dismissed the motion terming it unprocedural saying it had signatures and that it lacked evidence against Monda.
The MCA wanted the Deputy Governor invited to the Assembly to defend himself but the Speaker declined the move given the adjournment motion.
“We cannot invite the Deputy Governor right now. You cannot file a motion today and expect the accused to be here,” the Speaker said.
He directed the Assembly Clerk to place an advert for public participation to ensure a transparent process.
Adjourning the session, the Speaker cited the need to accord the Deputy Governor a fair hearing to safeguard his right to a fair administration of justice.
“We have not reached the stage of removing the Deputy Governor. We want the public to give views and give the Deputy Governor time to give his submissions,” Speaker Nyanumba said
Agencies