This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu's ouster bid has taken a dramatic turn after her lawyers were assaulted and ejected from the county assembly grounds on Monday.
According to eyewitnesses, Martin Oloo, Morris Kimuli, and Stanley Kiima, who were representing Governor Ngilu, were intercepted by orderlies as they walked towards Speaker George Ndotto's office.
The orderlies allegedly assaulted the lawyers, leaving Mr. Kimuli with back injuries, and enforced Speaker Ndotto's order to evict them.
The incident occurred on the same day that the Speaker had summoned Governor Ngilu to appear before the assembly to answer allegations in an impeachment motion.
However, the impeachment process had been halted by the High Court, and the summons had not been officially withdrawn by the Speaker.
Governor Ngilu's lawyers had written a demand letter to the Speaker and the Assembly Clerk, Elijah Mutambuki, accusing them of being openly biased and acting with malice.
The letter questioned the motive of a public notice published by the clerk, asking people to fill a public participation questionnaire on the impeachment motion without revealing their identities.
Ms. Ngilu condemned the attack on her lawyers, accusing Speaker Ndotto of malice and pursuing a political vendetta against her.
She said the assembly grounds were not private premises for the Speaker to choose whom to admit.
Speaker Ndotto defended his actions, saying the assembly is a restricted area and that the lawyers' presence created an unnecessary disturbance.
