Kisii County Assembly has voted to impeach Kisii Deputy Governor Dr Robert Monda. This is seen as a culmination of a series of toxic populist politics that has rocked the county since the end of the electioneering period.
On 29th February 2023, 53 members of the Kisii county assembly voted in favour of the ouster motion against the embattled Kisii deputy governor. This was against a total of 70 MCAs. A measly 15 voted to throw out the motion.
In the recent past, Kisii County has become a hotly contested battleground between vibrant MP Sylvanus Osoro and current governor Simba Arati. The impeachment has apparent symptoms of the ongoing popularity contest.
Dr Robert Monda came under fierce scrutiny after allegations surfaced that he accepted a bribe to assist a resident in obtaining a job with GWASCO Water Company.
He was also accused of abuse of office, which he denied when he appeared before the county on Thursday morning.
Last week, while speaking to the media, Monda distanced himself from corruption allegations, claiming that an impeachment motion before the Kisii County Assembly would fail for lack of merit.
“I have never been accused of corruption in my life. It is only this time that it is coming in my history. I have sufficient answers and it is the responsibility of the holders of this motion to ensure they have a case to prosecute,” said Kisii Deputy Governor last week.
The Deputy Governor did not address journalists but those early opposed to the motion said the impeachment signaled death to democracy.
“It is a sad day for the people of Kisii County especially the right thinking and who believe in democracy. What we have witnessed today is political conmanship, deceit and an exhibition of the character of Governor Simba Arati,” stated Bouse Mairura MCA Masimba ward.
The impeachment motion was filed by Ichuni MCA Wycliffe Siocha who is adamant that him filing an impeachment motion against Monda constitutes the oversight role he took an oath to protect.
Dr Monda has vehemently rejected claims he had extorted a bribe to influence the employment of one Denis Misati, the youth in the Centre of the ouster motion filed against him by Ichuni ward MCA Wycliffe Siocha.
While there are registered monetary correspondences between his Mpesa and some bank accounts of the aggrieved, the payment was in relation to a debt that was being repaid to him by Misati’s father.
He said about KSh500,000 was forwarded to his contact in two instalments as a refund for money he had early extended to Misati’s father, a family friend of many years.
Police Blocked Public Participation In Impeachment Motion Against Kisii Deputy Governor
Last week, a public participation exercise which had been called to discuss the impeachment bill of Kisii Deputy Governor Dr. Robert Monda ended prematurely Monday after police in Masaba South hastily ordered members of the public off the venue.
Gesusu MCA Anthony Onkundi Kerage quickly condemned the deployment terming it an act of intimidation and gross violation of the law.
He said there was nothing out of the ordinary in holding a public forum to discuss an assembly bill.
On Saturday, Dr Monda told journalists that he is ready for impeachment.
He described the motion tabled Wednesday as politically engineered further describing it as a witchhunt because of his association with Education Cabinet Secretary, Ezekiel Machogu.
The Deputy governor said his woes began when he hosted lawmakers- Silvanus Osoro ( South Mugirango), Japhet Nyakundi (Kitutu Chache North), both United Democratic Alliance ( UDA) and Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance – Senator Richard Onyonka, Dr Daniel Manduku ( Nyaribari Masaba, both ODM and Woman Representative, Dorice Donya, Wiper at his residence,
ALSO READ: Tiger Brands Appoints Polycarp Igathe As Managing Director
