Senators question impeachment of Sonko amid debate on Governors removal

During debate on the County Governments (Amendment) Bill seeking to raise the threshold for the impeachment of Governors in the county Assemblies, a section of senators raised concern about how former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was removed from office.

The Senators said there is a need to ensure governors are not ejected from office unfairly.

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot said there is a need to have legislation that will ensure county bosses are treated fairly.

"It was demonstrated here that the threshold for the impeachment of former Governor Sonko was not achieved at the County Assembly of Nairobi yet there are many things that happen in an impeachment exercise," Senator Cheruiyot said.

"Impeachment has become a political process yet they have very serious and legal consequences."

During the session, the Senators were debating the County Governments (Amendment) Bill that seeks to raise the threshold for the impeachment of a governor from a third to two-thirds.

"I like the fact that we are raising the threshold. By the time two-thirds of the assembly agree and concur that something is wrong with you then there is a problem somewhere. A third was too low," Senator Cheruiyot added.

The County Governments (Amendment) Bill is sponsored by Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.

It seeks to protect Governors and County executives from unnecessary impeachments.

In his presentation, Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua also supported the Bill saying it is long overdue.

"We have seen governors go through anguish and pain of impeachment for reasons other than the provision of the constitution on the removal of governors," he said.

"To date, I believe there were no grounds for removal of Governor Sonko from office. I believe he was removed from office for other reasons and not the breach of the constitution."

He regretted that the decision had wasted the former governor dearly so much so that he could not hold public office.

Senator Wambua asked the committee on devolution to take the matter seriously to save the executive from more anguish and pain.

"Mr Speaker, a very young leader, very robust and a man of people cannot hold office because he was impeached for extra reasons."

"Let the committee on devolution take up this matter and bring a proper bill on the impeachment of a governor."

Wambua said there is a need for a watertight impeachment law to block politicians from using impeachment to settle political scores.

Machakos Senator Agnes Kavindu Muthama supported the Bill saying many have fallen victim to witch hunt.

She said the intended law should be shielded from compromise either by the Senate or the county assemblies.

During the debate, the Bill was widely supported by a majority of the Senators.

Others who supported the Bill include; Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thangwa, Marsabit Senator Mohammed Chute, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and nominated Senators Beth Syengo and Gloria Orwoba among others.

On his part, Maanzo said the Bill should be passed without amendments.

“The Bill is very well drafted and it is good for the nation, so that we can safeguard the rights of the other people and especially employment rights and safeguard them against political witch hunt,” Maanzo stated.

Thangwa also added that if the Bill had been in place, impeached Governors like Sonko would have been given an opportunity to exhaust their appeals removed from office without getting Senator Karungo Wa Thangwa.

Senator Syengo on her part added that Sonko was removed from office under unclear grounds.

“Sonko’s impeachment was out of political interests or personal hatred. It’s important to have clear grounds and we should increase this threshold for impeachment,” she said.