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{
    "id": 943159,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/943159/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 309,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wambua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13199,
        "legal_name": "Enoch Kiio Wambua",
        "slug": "enoch-kiio-wambua"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir. I also support the Report by the Special Committee on the proposed removal from office of Hon. Granton Samboja, the Governor of Taita-Taveta County. I want to begin by making full disclosure that Gov. Samboja is the only governor of the party that sponsored me to the Senate. He is a personal friend but I did not in any way try to interfere with this process. Having made that full disclosure, I congratulate the leadership led by the Speaker of the Senate for allowing the Senate Special Committee to continue with the writing of the Report and receiving evidence against Gov. Samboja despite the fact that he went to court and sought an injunction. I also thank the Speaker for opening this window for senators to ventilate on the matter. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, special thanks must go to Members of the Special Committee. I am told that they sat until the wee hours of this morning to do the Report. I thank them because they have acquitted the dignity of this House. At a time that the Governor did not find time and reason to appear before the Committee, the Committee was led by evidence adduced before it to come up with its findings. At times it is difficult to understand what kind of legal and political advice that a section of governors in this country receive. Since MCAs of Taita-Taveta County made baseless allegations against the Governor, he would have had the perfect platform to clear his name and put the record straight before the Senate but he chose not to appear. Since I declared that the Governor is my friend, I want to adduce this advice to him: Going forward, he must realise that if he has any political enemies, they are not to be found in the Senate. When the Senate requires him to appear, the least he can do is to appear. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I also thank Members of the Special Committee because they have lived up to the calling of this House; the defender of devolution and counties and their governments. There are lessons to be learnt out of this experience, especially for MCAs not just in Taita-Taveta County but across this country. If there is need or reason to impeach a governor, we must insist on an evidence- based impeachment process where you do not bring personal vendetta to bear on the performance of a governor. I have a case in point because I was following this matter. I am told none of the issues raised---"
}