IMPEACHMENT TIME

Members of the County Assembly of Kericho voted out Governor Paul Chepkwony as his Nairobi counterpart, Evans Kidero, joined the list of regional heads temporarily reinstated by the Supreme Court. Chepkwony lost the impeachment war when 32 MCAs voted for his ouster, against the 15 who abstained. Prof Chepkwony’s fate now lies with the Senate, which on Tuesday sacked Martin Wambora as Embu Governor for the second time after the High Court reversed his first impeachment. The Supreme Court is already hearing appeals by Governors Peter Munya (Meru), Okoth Obado (Migori) and Nathif Jama (Garissa). Kericho County Assembly Speaker Japheth Mutai declared Chepkwony impeached at exactly 4:49pm after a heated debate, during which majority of the members were not persuaded by the governor’s ardent plea. His deputy, Susan Kikwai, will take over in acting capacity pending the outcome of the Senate proceedings. The law requires that once the County Speaker furnishes the Senate Speaker with the verdict, the Senate should establish a committee to investigate the claims against the governor and a decision made within 10 days.