Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo has survived an impeachment motion against him at the County Assembly.
Twenty Members of County Assembly (MCAs) voted in support of the motion while twelve opposed it.
The threshold for impeachment is twenty-three meaning that the governor survived by a single vote.
Reports indicate that that Nyaribo failed to turn up for the impeachment hearing before the county assembly.
Nyaribo instead sent his legal team, led by County Attorney Erustus Orina, Advocates Jacob Ngwele and Julius Anyoka and other legal officers attached to his office.
Nominated MCA Evans Juma Matunda presented the motion before the Assembly, where it was seconded by Magombo Ward MCA Minda Riechi.
Speaker Enock Okero then invited Nyaribo’s legal team to respond to the allegations against him.
Nyaribo faced charges similar to those brought by the MCAs almost a year ago.
The accusations included gross violation of the law by illegally recruiting two senior directors in the County Human Resources office, discrimination against beneficiaries of the county education bursary fund based on parents’ voter registration, disobedience of the law, and conspiracy to defraud the county of funds through payroll manipulation.
Also Read: ODM Faces First Test After Raila’s Exit
Nyaribo First Impeachment Motion
Nyaribo survived the first impeachment motion tabled against him in October 2023.
Eighteen MCAs voted to reject the motion, while 16 supported it; hence, it did not proceed to the Senate.
MCA Matunda issued a notice of motion for Nyaribo’s removal from office and tabled it in the Assembly.
The governor was accused of, among other things, alleged gross violation of the Constitution of Kenya and other laws, abuse of office, gross misconduct, flagging off empty containers disguised as medical supplies, illegal recruitment of staff and disobeying court orders.
Twenty-four out of the 34 MCAs of Nyamira County Assembly had signed the impeachment motion.
Also Read: Nyamira Governor Faces a Second Impeachment, Petition Filed
Nyamira County Assembly Constitution
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) holds a majority in Nyamira County with nine members, including six elected and three nominated MCAs.
The county has 20 elected and 15 nominated MCAs, with representation from the Orange Democratic Movement (four), Jubilee (two), and Ford Kenya (two).
Governor Nyaribo succeeded John Nyagarama, who died while in office and went on to win the 2022 general elections.
He secured re-election in Nyamira County under the UPA party, earning 82,090 votes, while his closest challenger, Walter Nyambati of UDA, received 49,281 votes.
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