Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 436535,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/436535/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 96,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "governance when performing their duties as the Chief Executive Officer of the County Government.” So, a governor should not be heard saying that I did not know. If the Governor of Embu said that he did not know, that means that he failed in his constitutional responsibility, as found by this Committee, to observe diligence in the governance of Embu County. Why do we impeach? The Constitution under Article 181 says; one, for gross violation of the Constitution: Is the Constitution grossly violated? We, as a Committee, opine that yes, when a governor fails to lead and to deal with leadership and integrity. Article 73 of the Constitution says that; “Authority assigned to a State officer- (a) is a public trust to be exercised in a manner that- (i) is consistent with the purposes and objects of this Constitution; (ii) demonstrates respect for the people; (iii) brings honour to the nation and dignity to the office; and, (iv) promotes public confidence in the integrity of the office.” Mr. Speaker, Sir, the manner in which the Governor of Embu was relying on one Margaret Kariuki and ignoring the advice of the County Executive Officer, he absconded his responsibility under Article 73 of the Constitution. So, these grounds do not need to be big. You do not need to talk about billions of money. In fact, there is precedent that in the United States (US) where the Senate impeached Judge John Pickering for an act of drunkenness and unlawful rulings. In the case of the Governor of Oklahoma, Henry Johnson in 1929, the Senate impeached him on grounds of general incompetence. Governance is a requirement of competence of the person and not a question that it must be so grave in the manner in which some Kenyans think that billions of money must be misappropriated. Even general incompetence, under Article 73 of the Constitution is enough to impeach a governor. I want to submit to this House that the incompetence of Governor Wambora has been demonstrated beyond doubt. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it has been argued that impeachment will be misused by the county assemblies and the Senate to witch-hunt, malign and blackmail governors. Impeachment is not about tribe, party or size and colour of the person; it is about accountability. If it means that we impeach a governor today and the governor who takes over from that person commits the same offence or even more grievous offences, we will impeach the next one. That is the law. This is not a new thing. In Oklahoma in 1921, for example, they impeached a governor who was a lawyer. In 1929, they also impeached another Governor Henry Johnson, that I have quoted, for general incompetence. So, the question is about facts and not whether we are witch-hunting or anything. This House is mature enough to be able to deal with those issues. Mr. Speaker, Sir, does impeachment depend on the popularity of the governor? No! In fact, there is precedent that in the impeachment of Governor Blagojevich who wanted to sell the seat of Obama when he became President: He was the most popular person on CNN, CNBC, Fox News. Everybody was rating him high, but the Senate of The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}