Kiambu Senate Speaker has approved for publication of a County Impeachment Bill that seeks to remove county officials.
This legislation strives to provide a direct framework and guidance for the removal from office of Governors, their deputies, County Executive Committee (CEC) and County Speakers in Kenya.
The bill has received its first nod from the Senate Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, with a few recommendations and amendments
Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa, who tabled the bill expressed his excitement on the publication of his bill and stated that the public would now have an opportunity to provide their input once it is published.
“I am excited to announce that the Speaker of the Senate has approved my County Impeachment Bill for publication and the public will now have the opportunity to provide their input and opinions after the bill is published,” Karungo said.
Karungo emphasised that the bill aimed at addressing the lack of procedural safeguards guaranteed by Articles 47 and 50 of the Constitution, concerning fair administrative action.
He added that the bill would provide a fair hearing to the accused making it harder for the accused to be impeached on flimsy, emotional or purely political grounds.
“The new law makes it harder to impeach anyone on flimsy, emotional, or purely political grounds. Instead, it provides a fair hearing to the accused, ensuring that due process is followed and the rights of all parties are protected,” he said.
The Kiambu Senator also added that the bill would lead to transparency and accountability at the county level, and urged the public to take part in contributing their opinions once the bill is published.
“I am confident that this bill will contribute to a more transparent and accountable system of governance at the county level. I look forward to the public’s engagement and the continued support of my fellow legislators as we work towards its enactment,” he said
Prior to the introduction of the county impeachment bill, Kenya’s framework for the removal of county officials was seen as inadequate and lacking in procedural safeguards.
Existing laws did not sufficiently address the need for fair administrative action as mandated by Articles 47 and 50 of the Kenyan Constitution. This often led to impeachments based on political, emotional, or insubstantial grounds, causing instability and perceived injustices at the county level.
The absence of a clear, structured process for impeachment created loopholes that could be exploited for political gains, undermining transparency and accountability in county governance.
This legislative gap highlighted the necessity for a more robust and equitable system, prompting the development and eventual introduction of the County Impeachment Bill by Senator Thang’wa.
By Metrine Wacira
