• Mandago said the role of senate is to consider whether the decision reached by the MCAs according to the law.
• He insisted that just because the committee is comprised of many men, it does not mean they will be unfair in their decision.
Image: FILE
Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago has said that the impeachment of Governor Kawira Mwangaza has nothing to do with gender.
Speaking on Tuesday when the Senate began hearing her impeachment by Meru MCAs Mandago said the role of the Senate is to consider whether the decision reached by the ward reps is according to the law.
"Mr Speaker the matter beforehand has nothing to do with gender. It's purely a matter of considering the decision reached by the county assembly of Meru and if the Senate is going to concur with them or disagree," Mandago said.
The former governor's remarks followed a comment by nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba, claiming that there was no gender balance in the committee picked to determine Mwangaza's fate.
The Senate Special Committee has three female senators out of eleven members.
"The committee perhaps should have had more women. That is why I don't support the motion," she said.
Mandago insisted that just because the committee is comprised of many men, it does not mean they will be unfair in their decision.
He added that they know that they represent the entire Senate in the matter and they will strive to do what is right.
"Mr Speaker it is not in order for Senator Gloria to suggest that since the committee is made up of more male senators than female then it will be biased... it cannot be when male senators are going to discharge justice we are going to be unfair," he said.
"I want to commit that having been selected as a member of that committee we are going to be fair and just and do the right thing because we know the decision of that committee will be the decision of the Senate."
On Tuesday, senators voted to form a special committee to investigate charges against the Meru governor.
Some 33 elected Senators voted in favour of the committee against two members who rejected that route.
The committee is expected to meet as early as Wednesday to elect its leadership and set the procedure for prosecuting the case.
The committee members include Majority Whip Bonny Khalwale (Kakamega), Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), Karungo Thang'wa (Kiambu) and Ali Roba (Mandera).
Other members are Esther Okenyuri (nominated), Peris Tobiko (nominated), Eddy Oketch (Migori), Joseph Kamau (Lamu) and Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi).
Also sitting on the panel are Agnes Kavindu (Machakos) and Johannes Mwaruma (Taita Taveta).