Former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo made a thinly veiled attack at his nemesis, embattled governor, Ferdinand Waititu, after the latter's impeachment was approved by the Senate.
On Wednesday, January 29, Waititu's efforts to convince the Senate to win back his seat was futile as the majority of the senators voted against Waititu over allegations of corruption, gross misconduct and abuse of office.
Kabogo, who lost to Waititu in 2017 in an election the former claimed was marred with malpractices went full swing at the latter.
"The people of Kiambu should start getting services now. Choices have consequences," Kabogo opined in a Facebook post.
In July 2019, a video of Kabogo surfaced, in which he had warned Kiambu residents against electing incompetent leaders. In the video, the former county head acknowledges that the governor's post wasn't easy as people thought, noting that Ferdinand Waititu was only interested in Making money and not serve society.
"If you chase me, I will go home with my head high, I will not look back but I know this guy is only interested in making money," Kabogo had stated.
In past interviews, Kabogo used to poke holes into Waititu's leadership. In July 2019, the flamboyant businessman revealed that during his tenure, Kiambu boasted of the highest budgetary allocation to healthcare but the hospitals had been run down under the current regime.
"If you look at Kiambu, health was almost 50% of our budget. How do you stay in the office and there is no medicine in your hospitals?" Kabogo divulged in an interview on Hot96.
While speaking with Kenyans.co.ke on Thursday, January 30, Jubilee Nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura also celebrated the ouster. The vocal critic of Waititu's administration affirmed that he had longed to see Waititu go home.
"I did not vote in the impeachment motion because elected Senator Kimani wa Matangi was present. If he had been absent, I would have voted for Waititu to go home. For a long time since the campaign periods, I was the only legislator to fight Waititu, as I had already seen that he was not capable of leadingKiambu. The MCAs made a decision that we (Senate) have upheld because we believe in the integrity and sobriety.
"Today morning I will attend the swearing-in of deputy governor James Nyoro who will assume office as governor. We believe that he will restore Kiambu's lost glory," Mwaura affirmed.
While in the Senate, Waititu picked a war with Mwaura, who he claimed had been aware of a skewed plan to oust the embattled governor. This was after Mwaura posted on Facebook that the Senate had rejected Waititu's plea to present new evidence in the house.
"I want to thank the speaker and senators for listening to us and being patient. I would like to bring to the attention of the speaker a post by Nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura which alleges that the process has concluded," Waititu cried foul.
Senators voted against Waititu on three charges; Violation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, Crimes under the national Law and Abuse of office/ Gross Misconduct. The tallies for the three separate votes were 23 against 13, 28 against 11 and 27 against 11.
On his part, Waititu claimed his team was not given an opportunity to present evidence proving his innocence. He further accused his deputy Governor James Nyoro of actively working to undermine him and have him impeached.
Waititu has an option to appeal the Senate's decision to impeach him from the High Court all the way to the Supreme Court.
