This archive report was first published on 23 June 2020.
On June 23, 2020, Speaker Justin Muturi rejected a bid to impeach Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia over a government directive requiring all cargo destined for Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan to be transported through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) for clearance in Naivasha.
The directive, announced by Mr. Macharia on May 1, 2020, had sparked protests from freighters, who claimed it violated Article 10(1)(c) of the Constitution, which requires public participation.
However, Speaker Muturi dismissed the motion filed by Nyali Member of Parliament Mohammed Ali, stating that it lacked evidence to warrant debate and action before the House.
Mr. Muturi noted that while Mr. Ali had provided 90 valid signatures to back the motion, he did not table evidence to support the claims of gross misconduct by the Transport CS.
Mr. Macharia had denied allegations that he had agreed to back down on the directive, despite a court order putting it on hold pending determination of a case filed by activist Okiya Omtatah.
