Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo, on Wednesday, December 3, survived yet another impeachment attempt after the Senate dismissed his case in a dramatic turn of events.
During heated Senate proceedings which extended beyond regular working hours, the Senate considered preliminary objections filed by Governor Nyaribo's legal team, led by lawyer Elias Mutuma.
According to Nyaribo's lawyers, the Nyamira County Assembly failed to meet the mandatory two-thirds threshold required for an impeachment vote, with only 23 out of 35 members of the assembly participating in the impeachment.
The legal team further claimed the county assembly's resolution was "incompetent" for failing to meet mandatory standards set under Article 181 of the Constitution and Section 33 of the County Governments Act.
A second objection zeroed in on the use of proxy voting during the impeachment vote. Nyaribo's legal team dismissed the practice as unlawful; hence, it was null and void.
Senate proceedings on Wednesday were intense, with members exhibiting contrasting views. Notably, a section of senators, including Boni Khalwale, pushed for the hearing to proceed despite procedural concerns.
Ultimately, the Senate voted to halt the impeachment of the governor, with 38 Senators backing the motion and only four opposing it. Effectively, the case will not proceed to a full hearing.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi later confirmed the decision on his social media platforms, confirming that Nyaribo would remain the Nyamira County boss.
“Senators have tonight voted to uphold a preliminary objection raised by Hon. Amos Kimwomi Nyaribo, Governor of Nyamira County, opposing his impeachment trial on grounds that the County Assembly did not meet the required threshold in the vote that approved his impeachment. Consequently, the impeachment proceedings stand terminated, and Hon. Nyaribo remains in office,” Kingi said in a statement on social media.
The initial impeachment motion was introduced by Bonyamatutu MCA, who accused the governor of misuse of office, unlawful appointments and failure to observe the law, among other forms of misconduct.
There were, however, signs that the process would be complicated after MCAs Priscilla Nyatichi, Julius Obonyo, Elijah Abere, and Gladys Moraa, who were expected to testify, disowned letters sent to the Nyamira Speaker authorising proxy voting.
After surviving the impeachment, Nyaribo now joins his Kericho counterpart, Erick Mutai and Isiolo's Abdi Guyo, who were recently saved by the Senate on similar grounds.
