UPDATE Wednesday, June 17: The 11-member committee established to probe Waiguru will now be chaired by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala.
Malala will be deputised by Abshiro Halake, a Kenya African National Union (KANU) Nominated Senator and Vice-Chair of Information Communication Technology (ICT) committee.
Leaders opposed to the committee including Senators Kipchumba Murkomen and Susan Kihika claimed that the committee would absolve Waiguru regardless of the facts.
The Senate on Tuesday, June 16 voted to support the formation of a select committee to investigate accusations leveled against Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru in the impeachment motion against her.
45 Senators voted in support of the committee, with only 14 Senators opposing it. 1 Senator abstained from the vote.
The 11-member committee was ordered by Speaker Kenneth Lusaka to commence their work immediately and give a report within 10 days.
Leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto vehemently opposed the select committee, with Nakuru Senator Kihika Kimani describing it as the 'Capitol Hill Sanitization Committee' in reference to Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
In a passionate speech on the floor, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen voiced his opposition to the select 11-member committee stating that it was a denial of justice to Kirinyaga residents.
Siaya Senator James Orengo, however, claimed that it was other unidentified individuals who wanted Waiguru removed as opposed to Kirinyaga residents.
"This Senate should never be in a position where there is a dictation on how we handle our business. This is a very important institution.
"Today, some people have done so well, they're not looking for justice, they're looking for somebody's head.
"Waiguru's head is being asked for not by the County Assembly. I can tell you, and I have the evidence. The people who are looking for Waiguru's head is not the County Assembly," he stated.
Orengo's speech was interrupted by loud protests from Murkomen who sought to call him to order.
Murkomen doubled down on his comments that the Senate had lost its independence to State House and Capitol Hill, calling for a plenary to look into Waiguru.
Members of the Kirinyaga County Assembly who voted overwhelmingly to impeach Waiguru had appealed to the Senate not to frustrate the process.
They accused Waiguru and members of her administration of involvement in graft and abuse of office.
Members of the committee are:
Senator Abshiro Halake - Nominated Senator (KANU)
Senator Michael Mbito - Trans Nzoia (Jubilee)
Senator Mwangi Paul Githiomi - Nyandarua (Jubilee)
Senator Beth Mugo - Nominated (Jubilee)
Senator Anuar Loitiptip - Lamu (Jubilee)
Senator Philip Mpaayei - Kajiado (Jubilee)
Senator Cleophas Malalah - Kakamega (ANC)
Senator Beatrice Kwamboka - Nominated Senator (ODM)
Senator Stewart Madzayo - Kilifi (ODM)
Senator Judith Pareno - Nominated Senator (ODM)
Senator Moses Kajwang’ - Homa Bay (ODM)
