Senators Ask Ichung'wah to Table CS Kuria Impeachment Motion

Moses Kuria Impeachment to be impeached after senators call
Cabinet Secretary for Performance and Delivery Moses Kuria
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Moses Kuria

Senate's Majority and Minority sides have unanimously directed the National Assembly Majority leader, Kimani Ichung'wah, to table a motion of impeachment against Public Service CS Moses Kuria. 

Senators complained that Kuria had attempted to interfere with the impeachment hearing of Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza. 

CS Kuria had earlier listed 13 senators from the government and opposition, claiming that they were being misled to seal the fate of Mwangaza. 

''In fact, Mr Speaker, I agree with members of this house who have brought a motion of censure before to discuss the conduct of this particular minister because every given opportunity has done nothing but embarrass the appointing authority," Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot lamented. 

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot address the press in Parliament
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot addressing Parliament
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Aaron Cheruiyot

The senator stated that CS Kuria, through his conduct, had cast serious doubt on the appointing authority that is the President.

''In fact, it is my submission, Mr. Speaker, that the earlier CS Moses Kuria is let off his duties, the better for this administration because in every single day, in every action that he undertakes, he continues to embarrass the President and the People," Cheruiyot, Kericho Senator, added. 

In response, other senators warned that Kuria's behaviour was questionable and, as such, should be sent home for allegedly tainting the president's reputation. 

"Moses Kuria is an incorrigible national shame. How much embarrassment does the president have to endure? If nothing is done about Moses Kuria, there is more embarrassment coming," Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna lamented. 

Homa Bay Senator, Otieno Kajwang, furthermore, urged senators allied with the president to advise him about Kuria's conduct.

''Go and tell the boss that this guy is an embarrassment, not just to the government but to the republic of Kenya, he is an embarrassment to entire East Africa, the deals he has done have made Kenya look like a pariah,'' stated senator Kajwang'

However, Nandi Senator, Samson Cherargei, urged the President to extend the crackdown on Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen. The duo have been at loggerheads, with the Senator accusing the CS of sidelining his county in matters of development. 

''He is in good company of CS Murkomen, who insults and belittles anyone & everyone but Kuria only tweets. But Murkomen is worse. He takes the mic and bullies, insults and demeans the people and elected leaders even in funerals,'' Senator Cherargei added. 

Murkomen had earlier accused the Senator of tribalism after he allegedly asked the ministry to offer contracts to local community contractors.

Senate
Speaker Amason Kingi addressing the Senate on April 26, 2023.
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Senate of Kenya

 Senate speaker Amason Kingi ordered the senators to file a motion that will be forwarded to the National Assembly that will initiate Kuria's ouster. 

''So Honourable Senators, if you feel indeed the behaviour of the CS is unbecoming, then invoke the relevant standing orders," Kingi stated. 

''This is a house of action. Pursuant to the point of order that has been raised by the majority leader, I implore upon you senators to take full advantage of the standing orders to bring sanity to some of these CSs. You have the power under the law." 

On the first day of Governor Kawira Mwangaza's hearing, Kingi had warned CS Kuria over his remarks on senate proceedings.

While the Kenyan constitution in Article 152 gives powers of appointment of CSs to the President, the impeachment process is quite a long one, beginning with a censure of motion from the National Assembly as stated under Clause 6 of the Article.

The motion, touching on gross violation of the Constitution, a crime committed under national or international law, and gross misconduct, must be supported by two-thirds of the house members.

An 11-member committee is then formed to investigate the allegations made against the CS before a verdict is arrived at.