Impeached Kisii Deputy Governor Robert Monda to know his fate next week

Embattled Kisii Deputy Governor Dr. Robert Monda will know his fate on Thursday next week when the Senate decides whether to uphold the impeachment motion or reject it.

Attempts on the floor of the Senate to have the trial go to a committee of 11 senators flopped, with the Kisii Deputy Governor set to face the full Senate plenary.

The motion failed to get a seconder with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna who was to second the motion tabled by Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot opting out, technically throwing the motion under the bus.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has set a marathon hearing of the impeachment motion to beat the constitutional deadlines.

The proceedings kick off on Wednesday with Senators set to take a vote by close of business on Thursday.

In the directions issued by the Speaker, the County Assembly of Kisii will present its case on Wednesday morning and later on in the afternoon the Deputy Governor - through his lawyers - will cross examine three witnesses to be fronted by the assembly that voted 53 to 13 in favour of kicking him out of office.

On Thursday, the defence will take the stand to fight off allegations, with Dr. Monda also set to be cross-examined by the Assembly lawyers before a final vote is taken.

The impeachment tabled in the Senate reads in part; “The deputy governor contravened Article 75 of the Constitution by attempting to influence the appointment process for the position of Commercial Manager at GWASCO by offering a bribe to its Managing Director, Ms Lucy Wahito Wachira.”

The Kisii DG who fell out with his Governor Simba Arati will also face charges of abuse of office, integrity issues, bribery and subjecting county staff to personal use.

If the Senate votes in favour of the county assembly, the Governor will nominate a new deputy within 14 days and MCAs must either approve or reject him or her within 14 days.