Embattled Kericho Governor Erick Mutai is set to defend himself before the Senate plenary on Monday and Tuesday next week after senators rejected a proposal to establish an 11-member special committee to investigate him.
This decision came after Nominated Senator Veronica Maina refused to second a motion by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, which sought to form a special committee to discuss the governor’s conduct.
Senator Sifuna had urged the Senate to approve the motion, suggesting that Governor Mutai’s case be handled by a committee rather than being discussed in the full plenary. He clarified that the choice between a plenary or committee investigation was up to the senators, not the leadership. “This house will have the final say on what course to take,” Sifuna stated.
Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale requested Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to grant members more time to address the impeachment motion, arguing that the two days allotted were insufficient. “We often place too much pressure on witnesses, parties, and this house. I appeal, for the sake of justice, that we extend the timeline to allow even four days, so that senators can carefully consider the information and make informed decisions,” he said.
However, Speaker Kingi insisted that the impeachment motion would be heard within the next two days by the full Senate, noting that, “The motion, having lacked a seconder, dies naturally.”
He then directed Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye to send invitations to the involved parties and instructed them to file their responses by Saturday at 5 p.m. to ensure the matter could proceed. “The parties must submit their responses by Saturday, October 12, 2024, by 5 p.m. The clerk will circulate all documents to senators by 5 p.m. on Sunday,” Kingi ordered.
Kingi also informed the Senate that, according to Standing Order 48 (3), he had received a message from the Speaker of the Kericho County Assembly regarding the assembly’s resolution to remove Governor Mutai from office.
