Senators voted overwhelmingly to remove Kisii’s Deputy Governor, Robert Monda from office on Thursday evening.
The Deputy Governor’s decision to call Joseph Misati, the father of the main witness, Dennis Misati, to testify in his favour would be his undoing, and many senators were outraged by the public display of family feuds.
Monda was found guilty on all four counts, with 39 senators voting yes on the charge of gross violation of the constitution or any other law.
On the charge of abuse of office, 39 Senators voted in favour, 3 voted against, and one abstained, while 35 Senators found the DG guilty of gross misconduct, with only three voting to save him.
The leader also lost on the fourth charge, with 34 senators finding him guilty of committing crimes under national law and 10 finding him not guilty.
“The senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment Robert Monda, the Deputy Governor of Kisii, and he now ceases to hold office forthwith.” Ruled Speaker Amason Kingi
Senator Bonny Khalwale, the majority whip, moved the motion to impeach the Deputy Governor, arguing that, while the crimes had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt, the deputy governor was likely to have received the bribes.
“We will be lying to ourselves that the young man has not proved that he sent money to the Deputy Governor, we will be lying to ourselves if we discount the evidence of the two ladies, and we will be lying to ourselves, if we told the country that the DG did not receive the money.” Khalwale said.
Khalwale expresses his feelings about how broken the family is, with main antagonists Dennis Misati and his father Joseph Misati pitted against each other at the plenary.
“God made man, man made money, and money made mad, to see a brother giving evidence against DG, to see a father giving evidence against assertions of his son, it can only be described as madness.” Khalwale said.
While seconding the motion, Migori Senator Eddy Oketch lamented how millions of young people are capable of working but are frustrated when they are asked for bribes.
“I might not know if the Deputy Governor is guilty or not, but I know that today’s vote will be for the millions of youths who are hustling out hear, who are qualified, who are able and willing to work, but they are to give a bribe.” He said.
Many senators who commented on the motion expressed sadness over the family breakdown, with some even asking Kenyans to pray for the family unit.
Expressing his sadness and regret, Minority Whip Ledama Ole Kina wondered why and how the family unit had fallen with family members going for each other’s neck.
“The two days have been the saddest day in the institution of the family, a family is supposed to be united and to protect each other, but we have been invited to come in between the family, what example are we showing to the younger generation.’’ Posed Ole Kina.
“It’s a shame for a father to put his son in trouble and chose to stand against him, I want to assure you my son, that if I ever put you in trouble, I will always stand with you.” Vowed Kitui Senator Enock Wambua.
Nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba urged his colleagues to vote out the Deputy Governor rather than remain undecided.
“When I looked at the evidence of Sh 100 thousand sent to the manager who was supposed give a job, I knew that was the sword that would sink the deputy governor.” She said.
“I don’t want to say that bribery should be allowed, but how can you receive Sh 800 thousand and you only send Sh. 100 thousand to a person that is supposed to be giving the job? Surely?” Posed Muranga Senator Joe Nyotu.
Dr. Monda becomes the first Deputy Governor to be moved out of office by impeachment under the 2010 constitution.
By Matildah Obigwa
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