Nakuru MCAs now want to impeach Speaker Joel Kairo

Nakuru County Assembly Speaker Joel Maina Kairo (2nd left) whose tenure now hangs in the balance after a notice of a motion to impeach him was filed in the assembly on June 12, 2018. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Deputy Speaker Samuel Tonui confirmed that the process to impeach his boss has started in earnest.
  • The House business committee has powers to reject or endorse the motion.
  • Mr Kairo was elected in September 2018, defeating former Subukia MP Nelson Gaichuhie.

Nakuru County Assembly Speaker Joel Maina Kairo’s tenure now hangs in the balance after a notice of a motion to impeach him was filed in the assembly on Tuesday.

Deputy Speaker Samuel Tonui confirmed that the process to impeach his boss has started in earnest.

“The process to impeach the Speaker as provided for by the law has started,” said Mr Tonui during Tuesday afternoon session.

The motion to impeach Mr Kairo is sponsored by Biashara Ward MCA Peter Njoroge Wanyanguthie.

The motion will now go to the House business committee for time allocation and determination of the day for debate.

The House business committee has powers to reject or endorse the motion.

STANDING ORDERS

According to standing orders, in order for the assembly to officially initiate the move to remove the speaker, at least 59 MCAs must endorse the motion.

On Tuesday at least 55 MCAs had signed the petition meaning it was still short of four MCAs.

Mr Wanyaguthie, who is a first-time MCA, in his grounds of impeachment accuses the Speaker of denying MCAs funds to go for benchmarking in foreign countries.

Interestingly, six MCAs are currently in Arusha, Tanzania for benchmarking.

“We were allocated Sh15 million for foreign trips but only Sh9 million is available as the financial year comes to an end and what I am asking is, where did Sh6 million go? Mr Speaker must answer this integrity question,” said Mr Wanyaguthie.

ACCUSATIONS

Mr Wanyaguthie also accuses the Speaker of ignoring the contribution of the MCAs while nominating two members into the county assembly public service board.

He said nominated MCAs Alice Kering and Cecilia Karanja were nominated to the board without the consent of other MCAs.

The 78-member assembly seems sharply divided and it remains to be seen whether those pushing for the removal of Mr Kairo, after serving for only eight months, will carry the day.

Mr Kairo was elected in September 2017, defeating former Subukia MP Nelson Gaichuhie who had been fronted by the Jubilee Party.