Senate special committee has recommended the impeachment of Wajir governor Mohammed Abdi.
The recommendation comes after 34 out of 49 ward reps last month signed the motion to impeach the county boss.
Wajir Members of County Assembly had accused the governor of delegating powers to his wife Kheira Omar, failing to account for the financial resources allocated to the county as well as failing to provide quarterly expenditure reports to the House.
The 11- member senate panel found Abdi guilty of grossly violating the Constitution, County Government, Public Procurement and Asset Disposal and Public Finance Management acts.
“The committee finds that the allegation was proved and was therefore substantiated. The committee further found that the allegations meet the threshold for impeachment of the governor under Article 181 of the Constitution,” the report read in part.
The panel that was chaired by Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni however said the ward reps failed to substantiate the second charge but said the first charge was enough to send him home.
The committee that was composed of Senators Susan Kihika (Vice Chairperson), Johnson Sakaja, Mwangi Githiomi, Christine Zawadi, Mithika Linturi, Hargura Godana, Fred Outa, Agnes Muthama, Petronilla Were, and Issa Juma Boy submitted its report on Monday, May 17.
Abdi’s impeachment motion was sponsored by Tula Tula MCA Abdullahi Mohamed.
“The governor has allowed his wife to literally run county affairs as the de facto authority. He ceremoniously officiates and signs off where necessary for decisions she unilaterally makes on her own wishes and judgement without due regard to any law,’’ Isack Abdullahi said while moving the impeachment motion.
The committee’s report goes back to the Senate for debate and voting where at least 24 of the 47 elected senators are needed to put the final nail in the governor’s coffin.
