Oduol impeachment: Senators condemn previous removal of Governors Sonko and Waititu

Senators have faulted the previous impeachments of Governors terming them political witch-hunts.

As the Senate on Monday debated a report on the impeachment of Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol, the lawmakers led by Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo and her Nandi counterpart Samson Cherargei condemned the previous impeachment cases of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu terming them political schemes that were aimed at bringing down popular leaders using fabricated allegations against them.

In her contribution to the debate, Senator Dullo stated the removal of Sonko and Waititu was a political witch-hunt.

“We have only carried out two impeachment motions in this house. The impeachments of Waititu and Sonko were political. I don't see why a career of somebody who has built his career for the last 30 years is killed because of those two allegations against them,” said Senator Dullo.

On his part, Cherargei said the Senate should never be used to settle political battles between Governors and their critics.

"An impeachment procedure is a political process. When you look at Mike Mbuvi's case in the Supreme Court it should follow certain procedures," said Cherargei.

“The Deputy Governor of Siaya is being sacrificed at the expense of others. The Senate has previously seen such cases. EACC should descend to Siaya County like yesterday.” 

Senator Dullo and Cherargei led their Kenya Kwanza Senators in opposing the impeachment motion against Oduol in a dramatic vote that turned political.

"The net effect of this vote is that pursuant to Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33(8) of the County Government Act and Standing Order 87 of the Senate Standing Orders, the Senate has failed to remove from office by impeachment William Oduol, the Deputy Governor of Siaya County."

"The Deputy Governor accordingly continues to hold office," ruled Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.

Odoul will continue to serve as Siaya Deputy Governor after the senate voted to keep him in office.

Some 27 Kenya Kwanza Senators voted against each of the two charges the DG faced, beating the 16 Azimio senators who had voted to uphold the charges.

The 11-member Senate Special Committee that was probing the impeachment of Oduol recommended his removal from office on allegations of gross violation of the Constitution and abuse of office.

The special committee found that the charge against the Deputy Governor on Gross Violation of the Constitution and other Laws, on the allegation of Interference with the Procurement Process through Acts of Bid- Rigging was substantiated.

The deputy governor was also found culpable on the charge of Abuse of Office and Gross Misconduct on the allegation of Misleading the Public by Giving False Information.