This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
On December 27, 2019, a heated debate erupted over the requirement for governors to step aside once charged with a crime. Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya argued that forcing governors to keep away from their offices would deny innocent Kenyans vital services.
However, some sober minds have described this as a looming disaster for the country. The Council of Governors (CoG) has even taken the matter to the Supreme Court for an interpretation of the Constitution in reference to the powers enjoyed by governors.
Senator Samson Cherargei has proposed a Bill that would shield governors from any prosecution, whether civil or criminal, so long as they are in office. This idea is plainly ridiculous and can only pass if all the other senators have gone bonkers.
Cherargei's proposal is likely motivated by his desire to run for the gubernatorial seat. He and his ilk have been busy politicising the war against corruption, claiming that only politicians allied to Deputy President William Ruto are being targeted for prosecution.
“Let governors be pursued and charged after they leave office... the fight against corruption should not be used to settle political scores or intimidate governors,” Cherargei said.
Such Neolithic reasoning is imbecilic. Governors should not be allowed to steal and pillage all they want for five or 10 years and only then be charged.
