- In 2023, Esise Ward MCA Josiah Mang’era failed to convince the majority of the MCAs to vote in favour of the motion.
- The 2024 notice of motion was given by nominated MCA Evans Juma Matunda who wants Nyaribo removed from office on three grounds.
Image: FILE
Nyamira Governor Amos Kimwomi Nyaribo is walking a political tightrope, with MCAs pushing to remove him from office, for the second time in less than a year.
The governor had in October 2023 survived an impeachment after 18 MCAs voted to reject the motion against 16 who backed the bid.
Nyaribo is the second governor to face impeachment motions after the Meru County Assembly removed Governor Kawira Mwangaza from office in July.
The Senate upheld the impeachment but Mwangaza moved to court to challenge her removal from office and successfully obtained orders to remain in office.
In Nyamira, a notice of motion for Nyaribo’s removal from office was tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday with MCAs expected to conduct public hearings on Friday.
The notice of motion was given by nominated MCA Evans Juma Matunda who wants Nyaribo removed from office on three grounds.
Matunda, who was nominated by the Wiper party, wants the governor kicked out over alleged gross violation of the Constitution of Kenya and other laws, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.
On Friday, the Assembly will conduct public participation exercises in various areas around the three constituencies to collect public views about the proposed motion to remove Nyaribo from office.
The Assembly will be in West Mugirango CDF offices, Ekerenyo Social Hall in North Mugirango, Rigoma Market in Masaba North, Kemera County Assembly Office Grounds in Manga and CDF Hall.
In last year’s impeachment, Nyaribo faced 12 charges— including alleged illegal recruitment of staff, failure to remit statutory dues, favouritism, and nepotism.
The then-motion mover, Esise Ward MCA Josiah Mang’era failed to convince the majority of the MCAs to vote in favour of the motion.
Mang’era alleged that Nyaribo had violated Article 8(1)(a)(b)(c) of the Constitution of Kenya, Section 33 of the County Governments Acts (2012) and Standing Order No.62 of the Nyamira County Assembly.
He was accused of bypassing the Assembly when he decided to suspend the secretary of the Nyamira County Public Service Board in the middle of active recruitment.
At the time MCAs elected on Nyaribo’s United Progressive Alliance (UPA) party, who are the majority, rallied together to thwart the motion at the last minute.
Nyamira County has 20 elected and 15 nominated MCAs: UPA (Six), Orange Democratic Movement (four), Jubilee (two), and Ford Kenya (two).
Elected and nominated members give UPA a majority of nine members.
However, the UPA lost its majority leader Elijah Osiemo in a grisly road accident with he by-election still pending.
Wiper, United Democratic Alliance, Amani National Congress, PPOK and KNC have one member each.
Last year, Nyaribo blamed his political adversaries for allegedly sponsoring the botched bid to remove him from office.
“There was a lot of external influence and we have evidence from people I beat in the gubernatorial contest, an MP and an aspiring governor…Six people raised money to persuade MCAs to start the impeachment process,” Nyaribo claimed then.
He did not provide evidence to support his allegations.
“It was purely political,” Nyaribo added.
This year, Gen Z protesters stormed his offices in Nyamira demanding accountability, accusing the governor of nepotism, and corruption, among other allegations.
The governor had addressed the charged youths and promised to consult them more to address their grievances.
Nyaribo has faced several crises that have tested his leadership and management skills.
Last week, the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds was forced to temporarily take a break after Nyaribo was unable to provide satisfactory answers.
The committee was investigating discrepancies in the use of Nyamira County funds for the financial years 2020/2021, 2021/2022, and 2022/2023.