By Lauryne Akoth
Kisii Deputy Governor Robert Monda lost his seat on Thursday evening after the Senate decided to uphold the decision by the Kisii County Assembly to have him impeached.
The speaker of the senate Amason Kingi called to vote the four counts of charges against the governor including gross violation of the constitution and any other law, abuse of office, gross misconduct, and crimes under national law.
This occurred after the Majority Whip Senator Bony Khalwale introduced the motion to impeach the Deputy Governor, citing that the probability of the Deputy Governor’s alleged acceptance of the kshs 800,000 bribe was high. Migori Senator Eddie Oketch seconded the motion.
The vote was conducted electronically and the results of the voting process were as follows: For the initial and subsequent charges of gross violation of the constitution and abuse of office respectively, 39 senators supported his dismissal from office, while three opposed it making 39 out of 43 votes.
Regarding the third charge of gross misconduct, 35 senators favored Monda’s removal while seven were against it, bringing the vote to 35 out of 43. In the final vote, 32 senators voted in favor of his removal while 10 opposed it.
Kisii senator Richard Onyonka chose to refrain from voting. Reading the results of the voting speaker of the senate Amason Kingi stated,” The senate has upheld the following impeachment charge, count number 1 gross violation of the constitution and any other law, abuse of office, gross misconduct, and crimes under national law.”
“Pursuant to article 181 of the Constitution, section 33 (7) of the County Government’s Act and standing order 86 of the Senate standing orders, the senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment Honorable Dr. Robert Monda, the Deputy Governor of Kisii County and the deputy governor therefore ceases to hold office forthwith.”