Kisii Governor Simba Arati has nominated Julius Elijah Obebo as his deputy, following the impeachment of his former deputy Robert Monda earlier this month.
Mr. Obebo was until his nomination serving as the County Public Service Board Chairperson.
The communication was made by Kisii Assembly Speaker Philip Nyanumba during an Assembly sitting on Wednesday. The nomination is subject to approval by the county assembly.
County Assembly Vetting Process Set to Kick-Off
On Wednesday, during a session at the Kisii County Assembly, Phillip Nyanumba announced that the governor had given approval for the vetting and subsequent approval of Obebo as his deputy.
Nyanumba highlighted the legal requirement stating that when a vacancy for the deputy governor position arises, the governor must appoint a replacement within 14 days.
He also emphasized the assembly’s responsibility to consider and approve the appointment within the same timeframe.
Expressing satisfaction with the governor’s communication regarding Obebo’s nomination, Nyanumba forwarded the name to the committee on appointments and vetting.
The committee tasked with reviewing the nomination is to report back to the County Assembly within 14 days.
The nomination of Obebo, a retired civil servant, elicited reactions among some ward representatives.
Also Read: Kisii Deputy Governor Impeached
Majority Leader Henry Moracha expressed confidence in Obebo’s abilities to support Governor Arati’s agenda, noting his membership in the ODM party.
Moracha downplayed concerns about gazettement, emphasizing Obebo’s suitability for the role.
He also highlighted Obebo’s local ties, being that he also hails from the same area as the previous deputy governor, Monda.
Monda’s Impeachment
The senate on Thursday, March 14 upheld a resolution by Kisii Members of the County Assembly to impeach Deputy Governor Dr Robert Monda.
Dr Monda faced a Senate plenary on Wednesday, March 13 after he was impeached by Kisii Members of County Assembly (MCAs).
The DG denied the charges of gross misconduct, abuse of office, violating the Constitution and crimes under national law.
“Senators have voted to uphold the removal from office of Kisii County Deputy Governor Robert Monda by impeachment,” announced Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.
The Kisii DG on his part acknowledged that his relationship with Governor Simba Arati on official matters has been strained since the time they came into office, noting that he was convinced the impeachment was as a result of their differences.
“Indeed, I’m convinced that it is from that perspective I am before this Senate today on a matter of impeachment because of the official questions and discussions I’ve tried to hold with the Governor, and we do not seem to pull together.”
“One of them is the question of the budget absorption where for two consecutive years we have remained number 47 out of 47 in development resource absorption,” he told the house.
Also Read: Simba Arati Hunting Down Kisii County Ghost Workers
While making his submission he noted that the County recorded a 13.9% of the resource absorption which has vehemently shifted in the first quarter of 2024, where it has recorded 1.7% of the resource absorption.
He was accused of receiving a bribe of Ksh 800,000 from Dennis Mokaya and his family to secure a job at the Gusii Water and Sanitation Company (GWASCO).
It was further alleged that he then sent Ksh 100,000 to GWASCO’s Managing Director to influence Mokaya’s employment, but this request was rejected.
