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{
    "id": 691937,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/691937/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 93,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 447,
        "legal_name": "John Krop Lonyangapuo",
        "slug": "john-lonyangapuo"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, given the two options that have been cited in our Standing Orders, we have tried the first way of interrogating the impeachment. However, there is no harm in trying the second option where we deal with it here in the plenary. For that reason, I join my colleagues who are for the second option. Hence, we must defeat this Motion for us to deal with it on the Floor of this House. It does not mean that the impeachment process will be dealt a blow if we do not approve this Motion. It means that the option of establishing a Committee will be done away with if this Motion is thrown out. Mr. Speaker, Sir, we have sat faithfully for almost one and a half months as the Public Accounts and Investments Committee (PAIC) looking at the accounts of the county assemblies and county governments for the Financial Year 2013/ 2014. You will be shocked and, indeed, surprised at the manner in which public funds are misappropriated in counties. I think the ultimate goal for most of the counties is to squander as much as possible and nobody is ready to take responsibility for misappropriation of public funds. We have heard one classic example where a governor has refused to take responsibility, and yet the Constitution says that accountability is not optional. As long as you are in charge of funds, you must be able to be accountable and answer queries as raised by the Auditor General. Imagine over Kshs1.5billion cannot be accounted in Kakamega County. Why should that governor continue serving in that county if he cannot take responsibility? Mr. Speaker, Sir, it does not mean that we, as a Senate, do not to interrogate this impeachment process as it was initiated by Nyeri County Assembly. We will interrogate it properly considering its merits and demerits. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I watched how the Nyeri County Assembly Members (MCAs) slept in their Chamber for fear of being arrested or denied an opportunity to exercise their democratic rights of debating the impeachment Motion. This should not be allowed at all in a democratic society. Leaders should not fear to exercise their rights as they are enshrined in the Constitution. Are there policemen in this country who are willing to interfere with the work of MCAs? I do not think so. If so, then strange things are happening in the counties. I saw on television some of our colleagues from the National Assembly storming the Nyeri County Governor’s office. The Senate is here to stay. We will stand with our colleague, Sen. Kagwe. We will consider the impeachment Motion objectively and give a fair hearing to everybody as we did with the other cases. Lastly, it is a pity that the Senate recommended the removal of one of the governors from office but he is still serving, courtesy of the courts. This governor is supposed to come before a Committee of this House to answer audit queries, but he has never appeared. It looks like we are unable to summon him. We will confirm all those charges and anything else that has gone wrong in Embu County Government. 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."
}