The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) will now
determine the fate of Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja, following Senate
report which nullified his impeachment on Thursday.
The Senate Committee investigating Members of County Assembly
move to impeach the governor on October 9 recommended that the seven
allegations leveled against the governor be probed by EACC.
Senators found none of the allegations substantive, thus
voting to accept the recommendations of the report.
Allegations
“The committee, having investigated the matter in accordance
with its mandate under Section 33(4) of the County Government Act and Standing
Order 75(2) of the Senate Standing Order, reports to the Senate that it finds
none of the particulars of the allegations against the governor were proved or
substantiated,” reads the report in part.
The allegations levelled against the governor included gross
misconduct, misleading the County Assembly, misappropriation of funds contrary
to public finance Act 2012, and stalled projects.
The MCAs also accused the governor of misrepresentation of
facts to the public with the aim of inciting the public against the County
Assembly, failure to submit to the County Assembly an annual report on the
implementation status of the County policies and plans as required by the
County Government Act, 2012.
Mr. Samboja is also said to have failed to adhere to the County
Assembly resolution on ratification of Mr. Davis Mwangoma as the acting County
Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning.
The senate committee further recommended a mediation process
to be spearheaded by the Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee,
to unite the governor and members of the county assembly.
Samboja joins a list of other governors who have faced
impeachment plot since 2013.
Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony, his Murang’a counterpart
Mwangi wa Iria and the late Nderitu Gachagua(Nyeri) survived after the senate
quashed their impeachment plan by MCAs. Embu Governor did not survive this
after the senate approved his impeachment.
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