Embattled Governor Anne Waiguru has survived perhaps one of the
greatest challenges of her short political life after the Special
Committee of the Senate cleared her of culpability over impeachment
charges levelled against her by members of the Kirinyaga County
Assembly.
The committee, however, found her guilty adopting a domineering attitude in the management of the county affairs.
The
committee said, while it is open to the governor to indulge in less
important activities, it is an uninspiring and disturbing picture when
she cannot find time to appear before the county assembly to present
the annual State of the County Address.
“The
condescending attitude of the governor towards the county assembly is
uncalled for and does not inspire confidence and trust in the county
executive leadership,” the report states.
It adds:
“The governor appears to require to be reminded of the high calling of
her office and the responsibilities of leadership as set out under
Article 73 in the Leadership and Integrity Chapter of the Constitution.
In its report tabled in the House on Friday afternoon, the
committee found that the allegation on conferring a personal benefit was
proved but adds that it does not amount to an impeachable offence.
“From
the evidence adduced, the committee established administrative malaise
in the management of imprests in Kirinyaga County,” the committee,
chaired by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala said.
However,
the committee assailed the county assembly for listing twelve imprests
paid to the governor and alleging that she was issued with imprest but
never travelled or surrendered.
“The county assembly
only prosecuted two of the alleged travels. The governor adduced
evidence of the travel and where travel was not undertaken, the imprest
was surrendered later,” the report adds.
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 committee finds that the allegation of
the governor conferring herself a benefit was proved but does not amount
to an impeachable offence,” she said.
The committee
notes that the impeachment process is not a panacea for all incidents of
maladministration or criminal conduct and it recommends that the Ethics
and Anti-Corruption Commission investigates some of the allegations and
take appropriate action within sixty days and report to the Senate on
action taken.
“Where allegations are made of a
criminal nature, it may be the case that while the Committee has neither
the time nor the resources to make a conclusive finding, the matter is
nevertheless serious in nature and may require the relevant organs of
Government to pursue.”
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