Nakuru High Court has stopped the impeachment of Wahome Ndegwa as Speaker of the County Assembly of Nyandarua. – By Gerald Gekara.
According to a ruling by Justice Hillary Chemitei, Justice Joel Ngugi’s orders of January 26 that paused Wahome’s impeachment, were upheld on the basis that the MCAs had violated an order preceeding the impeachment.
“It is necessary to maintain the status quo in regards to orders of January 26. Justice Ngugi’s orders must be followed through unless the court is persuaded otherwise,”
The first impeachment vote was carried out on January 2021, where 30 out of 39 MCAs voted for his ouster. On the second vote, held on February 10, Wahome was impeached for the second time where 26 out of 37 MCAs supported the motion.
Wahome challenged the impeachment process saying that the ward representatives did not follow the proper procedure of impeaching a speaker.
He was accused of gross misconduct, misuse of office and nepotism.
Majority Leader Edinard King’ori said the allegations were substancial and the speaker had to be impeached to save the county.
“The speaker has shown that he is unable to hold office. That is why we want him to get out of the office so that we can have a competent person. All he keeps asking from the executive is for more money yet he cannot account for the ones he has been allocated,” said the Majority Leader.
Speculation is rife that the debate over Ndegwa’s impeachment was influenced by Nyandarua County Governor, Francis Kimemia, as the two have not been in good terms.
