Laikipia MCAs start process to impeach Governor Joshua Irungu

Members of the Laikipia County Assembly have started a process of impeaching Governor Joshua Irungu, accusing him of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

On Wednesday, Speaker Patrick Mariru allowed a notice of the impeachment motion by Umande Ward Representative Mwangi Maruga.

“The notice of motion that was presented has clearly stated the grounds for impeachment as required by our standing orders and are in line with article 181 of the Constitution,” Mr Mariru ruled.

In the motion, Mr Maruga accuses the governor of gross violation of the Constitution, the Public Procurement and Disposal Act, and the Public Finance Management Act.

More than a third of the members supported the motion by appending their signatures on the verification form as required by the law, the Speaker said.

But there was a heated exchange in the assembly after a member, Mr Peter Thomi (Githiga Ward), read a statement claiming that he and several other representatives had not signed the motion.

“Mr Speaker, this is a case of forgery. I can state categorically that I, and several other members, did not sign the verification form in support of this motion and I wish to withdraw,” Mr Thomi said.

The Speaker ruled that the standing orders were clear that signatures could not be withdrawn but the members were free to support any side during the debate on the motion.

According to the standing orders of the assembly, the motion will be placed on the order paper after seven days and members will have to debate it within three days.

Mr Mariru said the assembly will proceed with the motion strictly guided by both the substantive laws as well as the procedural laws.

He said the motion was serious and the procedures and caution laid out by the Constitution and the subsequent laws must be observed.