The Nakuru County Governor, Lee Kinyanjui has maintained that he will not be cowed by Members of the Assembly who are now threatening to impeach him over improper procurement practices at the devolved unit.
Kinyanjui said the impeachment motion, which was being crafted by a section of the MCAs seeking to oust him on allegations of violating the Constitution, abuse of office and failure to account for public funds was motivated by mischief and malice.
Speaking at his offices at the County Headquarters, Kinyanjui who is also Council of Governors chairman to Urban Planning, Housing, Development, Lands, Infrastructure and Energy committee said the upsurge in impeachment motions across the country threatens to kill devolution by disrupting service delivery.
The County boss said there is an urgent need to review the impeachment process on issues to do with public participation, timelines, and threshold among others as MCAs harbouring hidden political motives were exploiting and abusing the loopholes to hold governors at ransom.
He challenged the MCAs to provide any evidence linking him to irregular practices, adding that he was ready to defend himself against the allegations before the County Assembly and the Senate.
A report which the governor said he had not read reportedly accuses the procurement department of undermining the authority of the county assembly and conflict of interest in awarding county tenders.
The MCAs are said to be demanding overhaul of the department and a probe by independent bodies.
Kinyanjui who was accompanied by his Deputy, Dr. Eric Korir insisted that his administration did not condone malpractices adding that most county bosses were facing impeachment motions sponsored by individuals eyeing gubernatorial positions.
Other governors facing impeachment threats over alleged corruption and abuse of office are Charity Ngilu (Kitui), Salim Mvurya (Kwale), Mohammed Kuti (Isiolo), Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma) and Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia).
On Friday, however, Ms. Ngilu got a reprieve from the High Court after it suspended the tabling and debating of the impeachment motion against her that was scheduled for last week. The impeachment motion, had already been signed by 40 MCAs out of 56.
The court directed her to serve her pleadings and submissions to the Speaker and Clerk of the assembly, who have been listed as respondents.
Even as the Senate saved Kirinyaga Governor, Anne Waiguru after she was impeached by the county assembly, in Bungoma, MCAs want the county chief to account for every coin that has been channeled to the devolved unit since the beginning of devolution or face ouster.
Wangamati has maintained he will not be cowed by the reps, who have now threatened to impeach him over the standoff. He is on the spot over the purchase of some 600 jerrycans at an exorbitant Sh.10,000 each, a matter that is now being investigated by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption commission.
In Isiolo County, Kuti is facing the wrath of MCAs, who have accused him of misusing funds allocated to the county by the national government.
Further, Kuti is also facing accusations of corruption and nepotism.
By Anne Mwale
