This archive report was first published on 11 October 2019.
Published on October 11, 2019, the impeachment of Governor Granton Samboja in Taita-Taveta County has sparked a heated debate about the role of Members of County Assembly (MCAs) in the process.
While MCAs are representatives of the people, they did not directly elect the governor. Governor Samboja won a popular vote, and it's only fair that the people are fully informed and involved in making a decision of such magnitude.
On Wednesday, all 30 MCAs in the county assembly voted for the impeachment, slightly over the two-thirds threshold required. However, a matter that affects nearly 300,000 people should be handled with sensitivity, not driven by petty personal differences or selfish interests.
County assemblies are often criticized for being made up of semi-literate charlatans notorious for base conduct and greed. There is a tendency to hold governors to ransom with the threat of impeaching them if they do not play ball on public funds.
The next phase of the action against Governor Samboja, where the Senate takes charge, is crucial. It will evaluate the accusations and make a decision based on facts and not hearsay.
The MCAs are accusing Governor Samboja of gross violation of the law, misappropriation of funds, and failing to assent to the 2019/2020 budget. For his part, the governor has led a campaign to collect signatures to dissolve the county, heightening the row.
