Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu impeached

Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu has been impeached by Members of County Assembly over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

The impeachment was passed by 63 MCAs who voted in support of the motion. Only one MCA voted against the motion while 28 were absent, making the motion to meet the required two-thirds majority threshold.

In the petition, Waititu was accused of hiring more than 600 casuals without involving the County Public Service Board who he, later on, fired. The MCAs said the move exposed the county to risk of multiple suits and loss of public funds.

The impeachment motion was tabled by Ndenderu MCA Solomon Kinuthia who, among other issues, accused the embattled county boss of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

Waititu troubles started on July 26, when the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji ordered for his arrest together with his wife Susan Wangari Ndung’u over alleged embezzlement of Ksh588 million public funds.

He was charged with conflict of interest, dealing with suspect property, abuse of office, willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement and engaging in fraudulent practice.

He spent three nights in remand and on July 30, Waititu was released on a Ksh15 million cash bail but Magistrate Lawrence Mugambi at Milimani Law Courts in his ruling, directed that Governor Waititu be barred from accessing the Kiambu County offices until the case is heard and determined.

What’s next for Waititu?

The impeachment motion having sailed through the County Assembly, it will now move to the Senate who will scrutinise legal way in which has been impeached, or the Senate may initiate a motion to impeach him.

The Senate will require only a simple majority of 24 out of 47 Senators to vote in favour of the motion to pass.