Witness in Kisii DG Monda impeachment makes U-turn on testimony, cites coercion by Governor Arati

The key witness in the impeachment case that sacked former Kisii Deputy Governor Robert Monda has recanted his testimony.

Denis Mokaya Misati, in signed affidavits, said both the witnessing and evidence adduced before the Kisii County Assembly and the Senate were done under duress.

Among the charges levelled against Dr Monda was that he collected Ksh.800,000 as a bribe from Misati to influence his employment at the Gusii Water Sanitation Company.

Misati's testimony was heavily relied on by both the Kisii Assembly and the Senate to send Monda home.

Misati now cites coercion as the reason for acting it out and giving fabricated evidence to incriminate Monda, resulting in his impeachment.

In the five-page affidavit, Misati reports being called to Kisii Governor Simba Arati, who allegedly promised him a job in turn for helping to fix his deputy with a fictitious scandal.

He said he was compelled to use the money his father was giving Dr Monda through his mobile number as a pretext for the fictitious bribe for the job he had applied for at Gwasco.

"I only accepted the deal on account of the reward promised by the governor," says Misati in an explosive affidavit.

In the affidavit, Misati speaks of a scripted witness statement that dictated to him to even shed crocodile tears to milk public sympathy.

He now denounces the evidence that incriminated Monda and wants it regarded as inadmissible.

The witness further denied selling his business to fund the said 'bribery' as claimed during the witnessing.

"Today, out of my actions, I feel haunted by my actions, which are in disharmony and in discord with our once united family,” said Misati.

"That I no longer have a relationship with my father and mother and have not spoken since I testified under duress and undue influence from the governor and his handlers."

The reason for the swearing of the affidavit, Misati says, is to stand for truth regardless of the consequences.

The affidavit was signed before Khisa K. Wekesa of Mayogi Nyaribo and Company Advocates in Nairobi.

The affidavit now pokes holes into the whole impeachment of Dr. Robert Monda as deputy governor of Kisii one year down the line.

Monda was subsequently replaced by Elijah Obebo as Kisii deputy governor.