Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu’s political survival hangs in the balance after the Majority Leader in the County Assembly submitted an impeachment motion to the speaker of the assembly.
Athi Ward Representative, Peter Kilonzo alias Tangawizi drafted the motion in which Governor Ngilu is accused of violating the Constitution, abusing her office and gross misconduct.
A newspaper notice that appeared on a local daily informed the public that the Kitui Countu Assembly would convene on Monday to debate Governor Ngilu’s ouster.
“Members of the public are hereby notified that a notice of motion on the impeachment of Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has been served to the Speaker of the County Assembly, the matter will be tabled to the Assembly for debate on Monday, June 29,” the notice reads.
The same notice asked members of the public to weigh in on the matter through filled and signed questionnaires and written memoranda before Friday, June 26.
In the motion in question, the MCA claims that the Governor was summoned to appear before the Senate Committee on County Public Investment and Accounts (CPIAC) to shed light on audit queries over management of the county funds and expenditure for the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 financial years, cumulatively amounting to approximately Ksh20 million.
The audit queries had been raised by the Auditor General in the auditor general’s report for the years ended 30th June, 2018 and 30th June, 2019 respectively.
Other accusations include her failing to comply with the two-third gender rule in appointments, violating people’s right to health and conflict of interest in the purchase of a stationary stone crusher plant.
Others are violating Section 44 of the County Governments’ act by irregularly and unlawfully hiring of the County Secretary, failing to dismiss the impeached county executive member for trade, cooperatives and investments,
Philip Mumo and violation of the income tax act by failing to remit statutory deductions to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) among others.
Kilonzo says additionally, the aforesaid summons directed the Governor to furnish the CPIAC with written responses to the cited audit queries well before the CPIAC hearing.
He further claims that Ngilu, in an open and blatant manner and in utter disregard of the law, she declined or and ignored to comply with the said summons and directions, and when she finally appeared before the CPIAC on 29th November, 2019, she failed to give a satisfactory response to the Audit Queries and resultantly, she was fined Sh500,0000.
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