Senate Committee Clears Gov Anne Waiguru of All Charges

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru

The Special Senate Committee investigating the impeachment of Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru has cleared the county boss of all the charges levelled against her.

The 11- member committee found that the two charges against the governor of - gross violation of the constitution; and abuse of office and gross misconduct were not substantiated.

"The Committee having investigated the matter in accordance with its mandate under section 33 (4) of the County Governments Act and standing order 75 (2) of the Senate Standing Orders reports to the Senate that it finds that the two Charges against the Governor have not been substantiated," read the conclusion of the committee.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru appears before the Senate in June 2020
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru appears before the Senate in June 2020
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Here are the charges and allegations that were levelled against the governor.

Charge 1: Gross violation of the Constitution and any other law

Allegation 1: Failure to deliver the annual state of the county address for the Financial year 2018/2019 to the County Assembly

Allegation 2: Undermining the authority of the County Assembly

Allegation 3: Violation of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015 and the Public Finance Management Act, 2012

Charge 2: Abuse of Office and Gross Misconduct

Allegation 1: Violation of section 46 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015

Allegation 2: Conferring a benefit to a public officer

Allegation 3: Disregard of the recommendation of the County Public Service Board regarding the remuneration of members of the Board of Kirinyaga Investment Development Authority (KIDA), payment of KIDA Board members outside the IFMIS and County Government Payroll, and payment of imprest amounting to more than fourteen million paid to Mr. Francis Muriithi Kariuki. 

Allegation 4: Violation of the Right to Health of the people of Kirinyaga county

"The Committee finds that this allegation was not proved and is therefore not substantiated," the committee chaired by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala noted under each allegation other than the one where Waiguru was found guilty of conferring benefit to herself.

The Committee established administrative malaise in the management of imprests in Kirinyaga County.

"The Committee observes that accounting officers must adhere to the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 which require imprests to be surrendered with seven days and in the event of delay, the refund should be made with interest," the statement read in part.

The Committee found that even though the allegation was proved it did not amount to an impeachable offence 

Senator Cleophas Malala (Left) pictured during the first  hearing of Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru's impeachment Motion June 23, 2020.
Senator Cleophas Malala (Left) pictured during the first hearing of Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru's impeachment Motion June 23, 2020.
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Kirinyaga MCAs impeached Waiguru on June 9 on account of gross violation of the Constitution and abuse of office.

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