Former Thika Town Member of Parliament Patrick Wainaina alias WaJungle has asked the National Assembly and Senate to enact a law to protect independent governors from impeachment.
Wainaina, who contested for the Kiambu gubernatorial seat in the August 9, General Election suggested that governors elected on independent tickets are greatly disadvantaged.
WaJungle who was speaking in Kiambu County said as a former gubernatorial aspirant said independent county bosses should not be impeached before serving at least two to three years.
He said it was wrong for county lawmakers to impeach governors who are yet to serve even for a year saying that a two to three-year period is enough to gauge the governor’s performance.
“As a former gubernatorial aspirant for Kiambu, I would be uncomfortable with any attempt to impeach the current governor. He should be given ample time to execute his manifesto which should be at least two years,” he said.
The former legislator was speaking in relation to the recent impeachment of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza who was impeached by Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) after serving for around 100 days.
This was after 67 MCAs on Wednesday, December 14, unanimously voted to remove the independent governor from office over what they termed as nepotism, illegal appointments, unlawful dismissals as well as gross violation of the Constitution.
However, the Senate Special Committee chaired by Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale said none of the allegations leveled against Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza could be substantiated.
Khalwale instead warned Kenya’s MCAs against misusing their constitutional powers to intimidate governors to satisfy their personal selfish gains.
“We would like MCAs to use their position not for personal gains from governors by threatening them but instead, they should use that position to oversight governors and ensure that there is equity in developments in all the words in order to get an equitable share from devolved funds,” Khalwale said.
