Kericho County’s Agriculture CECM, Magerer Langat, has resigned one day before the County Assembly was set to begin hearings on an impeachment motion against him.
According to Langat, he tendered his resignation to Governor Dr Eric Mutai as a CEC member for Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock, and Cooperative Management in good faith to protect his integrity against what he termed a ‘rogue assembly.’
In a statement announcing his resignation, the outgoing CECM accused the county assembly of violating the laws of natural justice and approving charges against him on issues he claims to have no involvement with.
“This assembly approves charges against me on issues they know I have nothing to do with. On issues that they have already passed some resolutions themselves and they have already given directions,” Langat stated.
He said the assembly had already issued directions on matters for which he was being impeached, instructing other officials including chief officers to be dealt with by the county public service board.
Langat questioned the fairness of the impeachment process, pointing out that he was being asked about payments made before he even joined the county government.
“If you ask me about a payment made last year or in February, yet I joined this government in March, what are you trying to say?” he asked.
The former CECM criticized the assembly for taking pride in impeachment proceedings, arguing that such conduct constitutes an abuse of privilege.
“This is an assembly whose work is impeachment, and they take pride in that. Looking at the constitution, constitutes an abuse of privilege. If nothing is done, this assembly is rogue, will crash this county government down, and the people will not get any services,” Langat warned.
Langat emphasized that throughout his years in politics, his integrity has remained unquestioned, with no investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) or discussions about his conduct and character.
“I want to report to the Kenyans today. Throughout my years in politics, my integrity has been unquestioned. I have no situation, so I’ve been away, and no one has ever followed me. There is no EACC, no discussion about my conduct and character,” he stated.
The former county minister acknowledged that impeachment processes in Kenya carry significant consequences, which influenced his decision to resign rather than face the proceedings.
