This archive report was first published on 15 June 2020.
On June 14, 2020, Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru announced plans to table a motion to amend the House standing orders on impeachment, seeking to have the process handled by the Senate plenary.
According to Kibiru, the current standing orders, which allow an 11-member select committee to determine impeachment cases, are prone to manipulation and control by forces within and outside the Senate.
“Presently when an 11-member select committee is set up to hear and determine an impeachment, it is subject to manipulation and control by forces within and outside the Senate,” Kibiru claimed.
He argued that the current system denies voters their democracy and leads to suspicion and mistrust.
Legislators from Kirinyaga, including Munene Wambugu, Kabinga Wachira, and Gichimu Githinji, have joined Kibiru in demanding that Governor Anne Waiguru's impeachment case be heard at the plenary.
They argued that the 47 elected senators would be able to vote if the matter is handled at the plenary, while the 20 nominated senators would only be able to ask questions.
Separately, the area Women Representative Wangui Ngirichi has made a similar call that the governor should be tried at the plenary.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Whip Irungu Kangata has rubbished claims that he has been mobilizing support for an 11-member team for the Governor Anne Waiguru impeachment proceedings.
