Impeached Kisii Deputy Governor Robert Monda has pleaded not guilty to all the four charges facing him at the senate.
The development came after the senate clerk read out the charges at the start of an impeachment hearing at the Senate.
In the case presented by the Kisii County Assembly, Monda faces charges of gross violation of the constitution, abuse of office, gross misconduct and crimes under national law.
The Assembly says the governor solicited a bribe of Sh800,000 from locals to help him secure a job for his son.
“By virtue of the Deputy governor requesting and receiving a bribe of sh800,00 he is in breach of the provisions of Article 232 which obligates public officers to observe the values and principles of public service, " the charges read.
The MCAs said in the charges that Monda used his office to intimidate and cow his family into hiding fearing for their lives in contravention of section 34 of the Integrity Act, 2012.
They say Monda had continuously diverted county enforcement officers from their course of duty to work in his firm.
Monda was represented by three lawyers led by senior lawyer Katwa Kigen and National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro. Other lawyers are Wilkins Ochoki and Kelvin Michuki.
The deputy governor has also lined up six witnesses in the case that could make or break his political career.
The witnesses include three Kisii MCAs; Thomas Nyabaro, Amos Onderi and Lilian Anyango.
Others are Joseph Misati and Ann Misati, both residents of Nyamira County and Kisii County Contractors Association chairman.
“We assure the Senate our full cooperation and adherence to all procedural rules governing the impeachment proceedings,” Kigen said in the documents filed with the Senate.
County Assembly, on the other hand, lined up four lawyers and three witnesses.
The legal team is led by experienced lawyers Ndegwa Njiru, Elias Mutuma, Ndegwa Mwangi and Anna Munyoki.
The assembly’s witnesses are David Oyagi, Gladys Aminga and Enock Maranga and affidavits of Dennis Misati and Lucy Wahito.
Kisii MCAs impeached Monda on February 29, after 53 out of the 70 county assembly members voted in favour of the motion.
One MCA abstained from voting, while 13 others opposed his dismissal.