Besieged Nyeri Governor Gachagua to face whole Senate
Embattled Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua will face the whole Senate after senators rejected a special committee to handle his proposed impeachment.
Senators on Wednesday voted to shoot down a motion forming an 11-member committee to look into the matter as has happened in the past saying they wanted the proposal from Nyeri County Assembly to be dealt with in the plenary.
The motion was moved by Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki and seconded by his minority counterpart Moses Wetang'ula but was heavily defeated when it was put to a vote.
Eighteen senators rejected and seven supported it.
They vouched for this new way following fears that a smaller team may be compromised in order to come up with recommendations favouring one side.
The Standing Orders allow the Senate both options and in the past four impeachment proposals they have preferred a committee to first deal with them and then report back to the House.
The governor will be the first to appear before a whole House to respond to impeachment accusations.
'NO GROUNDS'
Vihiga Senator George Khaniri (UDF) beseeched his colleagues to try a new way to look into the proposed removal of the governor.
"We have heard four impeachment cases so far in this House. In all these we have agreed to go the special committee way.
“The disadvantage with that is that the House's hands are tied if the committee finds that there are no grounds for impeachment as we experienced with Murang’a case.”
“Going the plenary way will give Kenyans and the people of Nyeri a chance to follow the proceedings,” said Mr Khaniri.
His suggestion got overwhelming support from members who agreed to subject the governor to plenary proceedings.
The senators, on a recess, were called for a special sitting to decide on how to proceed with the matter.
“All of us should be given an opportunity to interrogate this matter. This matter should be done in the public so that Kenyans can follow it. I have no doubt on the competence and ability of the 11 members but they should be left for another day,” said Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Wiper).
Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro will rule Wednesday on how the plenary proceedings will be conducted following the rejection of the motion.
The governor was impeached by Nyeri MCAs who cited three grounds for their action. They accused the governor of gross violation of the Constitution, failure to comply with the law and abuse of office.
