This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
On June 23, 2020, the High Court suspended impeachment proceedings against Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, citing the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Judge Weldon Korir ruled that the Kirinyaga assembly should wait for the COVID-19 disease to be contained, stating that holding the impeachment proceedings at this time would prejudice Governor Waiguru's political rights and fair administration and hearing.
"In my view, the unique circumstances posed by the COVID-19 pandemic impose a duty to the court to interfere with the county assembly's mandate in so far as the impeachment proceeding is concerned," Judge Korir said.
He noted that public participation would be affected by the pandemic, as meetings and rallies - the cheapest and easiest methods to collect public views - cannot be held, and technology may be a challenge.
"I do not find merit in the claim that the motion be stopped because it lacks necessary threshold or that the process is in bad faith but because of the COVID-19 pandemic. How does this affect the operations of the assembly? This is exceptional and should be considered," he said.
The judge dismissed a previous suit filed by two MCAs seeking to halt the proceedings, saying the court would not be used to advance the agenda of the minority in overturning the majority's vote.
The cases will be mentioned on May 14, 2020.
