NAIROBI Kenya March 14 – Senators voted overwhelmingly to remove the Kisii’s Deputy Governor, Robert Onsare Monda from office on Thursday evening.
Dr Monda was found guilty on all four counts, with 39 senators voting yes on the charge of gross violation of the Constitution or any other law.
“The senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment Robert Monda, the Deputy Governor of Kisii, and he now ceases to hold office forthwith,” Speaker Amason Kingi ruled.
On the charge of abuse of office, 39 Senators voted in favour, 3 voted against, and one abstained, while 35 Senators found the DG guilty of gross misconduct, with only three voting to save him.
Monda also lost on the fourth charge, with 34 senators finding him guilty of committing crimes under national law and 10 finding him not guilty.
On February 29, a total of 53 members of the Kisii County Assembly supported an impeachment motion tabled in the House by Ichuni MCA Wycliffe Siocha against 17 who opposed it.
Monda has been accused of leveraging his position for personal financial gain, attempting to influence hiring decisions at the Gusii Water and Sanitation Company (GWASCO), and violating various legal and ethical codes.
The Thursday’s impeachment motion was moved by Dr Bonny Khalwale, the majority whip, who argued that while the crimes had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt, the DG was likely to have received the bribes.
“We will be lying to ourselves that the young man has not proved that he sent money to the Deputy Governor, we will be lying to ourselves if we discount the evidence of the two ladies, and we will be lying to ourselves, if we told the country that the DG did not receive the money,” he said.
While seconding the motion, Migori Senator Eddy Oketch lamented how millions of young people are capable of working but are frustrated when they are asked for bribes.
“I know that today’s vote will be for the millions of youths who are hustling out here, who are qualified, who are able and willing to work, but they are to give a bribe,” he said.
Dr Monda had called Joseph Misati, the father of the main witness, Dennis Misati, to testify in his favour.
As a result, many senators expressed sadness and regret over the public display of family feuds.
“The two days have been the saddest day in the institution of the family, a family is supposed to be united and to protect each other, but we have been invited to come in between the family. What example are we showing to the younger generation?” Posed Ole Kina.
“It’s a shame for a father to put his son in trouble and chose to stand against him,” Kitui Senator Enock Wambua said.
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