As the Senate debated a report on the impeachment of Siaya Deputy Governor William Oduol Monday evening, senators took the opportunity to condemn the previous impeachments of county bosses terming them political witch-hunt.
The senators led by Isiolo's Fatuma Dullo and her Nandi counterpart Samson Cherargei condemned the previous impeachment cases of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu terming them political schemes that were aimed at bringing down popular leaders using fabricated allegations against them.
In her contribution to the debate, Senator Dullo stated that Sonko was ousted from office on flimsy allegations which she termed as political witch-hunt.
“We have only carried out two impeachment motions in this house. The impeachments of Waititu and Sonko were political. I don’t see why we should kill the career of politicians based on political witch-hunt,” Dullo said.
On his part, Cherargei said the Senate should never be used to settle political battles between governors and their critics.
“The Deputy Governor of Siaya is being sacrificed at the expense of others. The Senate has previously seen such cases. EACC should descend to Siaya county like yesterday,” Cherargei said.
Dullo and Cherargei led their Kenya Kwanza counterparts in opposing the impeachment motion against Oduol in a dramatic vote that turned political.
Odoul will continue to serve as Siaya Deputy Governor after the senate voted to keep him in office.
Some 27 Kenya Kwanza Senators voted against each of the two charges the DG faced, beating the 16 Azimio senators who had voted to uphold the charges.
The 11-member panel chaired by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator William Kisang had found him guilty of gross violation of the Constitution and abuse of office and gross misconduct.
The tense political situation in Siaya county is now expected to take an interesting twist with the political supremacy battle between Governor James Orengo and Oduol expected to intensify after the Senate saved the latter’s political career.
