This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
On October 30, 2019, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) started verifying signatures collected for the dissolution of Taita Taveta County Government, as per President Uhuru Kenyatta's directive.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati confirmed that the petition requires at least 15,500 signatures to proceed to the next stage, which is 10 percent of the total 155,000 voters in Taita Taveta.
According to Chebukati, the signatures must come from Taita Taveta residents, with names and ID numbers matching the database.
If the IEBC verifies the requisite signatures, the president will submit a report to the apex intergovernmental body within 14 days, recommending the suspension of the county government.
Upon approval, the President will appoint a commission to inquire into the matter, which will be approved by the senate.
The report from the commission will be forwarded to the President, who will then take it to the speaker of the senate to initiate a motion to suspend the county government.
Despite attempts at mediation, Governor Samboja survived an impeachment attempt by the county assembly after senators found insufficient grounds in the allegations tabled.