Kisii UDA leaders vow to escort embattled DG Monda back to office

UDA leaders in Kisii County have vowed to escort embattled Deputy Governor Robert Monda back to office after the Machakos Law Courts blocked the Senate from gazetting his impeachment. 

Despite the court order, Governor Simba Arati nominated County Public Service Board Chairman Elijah Obebo as the Deputy Governor.

Obebo was subsequently vetted and approved by the county assembly.

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However, IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan wrote to the ODM party saying his hands are tied and thus cannot gazette Obebo as deputy governor.

“It is noteworthy that in terms of the constitutional prescription and IEBC Act, it is the Commission Chairperson who executes gazette notices on behalf of the Commission. However, noting the absence of the chairperson, we wish to inform you that the Commission is not in a position to appoint the returning officer and subsequently gazette the Deputy Governor approved by the Assembly,” reads the letter dated April 2.

Nyaribari Chache MP MP Zaheer Jhanda said the court ordered Monda back to office until the petition filed against the impeachment is heard and determined.

“We have set a date and we will call on all those like-minded individuals to join us as we escort the Deputy Governor to his office. We want to know that powerful individual who doesn't want to obey court orders," he said.

Speaking in Riondanga, Nyaribari Chache, during the burial of the late Bathsheba Kemunto who was the mother-in-law to Monda, National Assembly Majority Chief Whip Slyavnous Osoro said the impeachment process of the deputy governor in the assembly and Senate was unnecessary.

“The allegations against Dr Monda were fabricated. We need not get to such levels. We are one big community whose leaders must agree to sit together and focus on development. The fight we have in Kisii is spiritual, church leaders must come together and offer prayers,” he said.

Osoro claimed that wrangles in the county have derailed development.

“We have had our sons and daughters working in the county being accused of corruption. The only people with powers to arrest and prosecute are the police and the Director of Public Prosecution. The ongoing victimisation of senior county staff must stop,” he claimed.

Woman Rep Dorice Donya who campaigned alongside Monda in the last General Election said she will lead the push to have the deputy governor back in office.

“I will not go back; we need leaders who keep to their word. The fight against top county staff is a scheme to punish those perceived to be supporting other political leaders,” she said.

A section of MCAs led by the Kisii Central Ward Rep Wilfred Monyenye and Health Committee Chair Amos Onderi said they were ready to face the executive over the decision to suspend several Chief Officers.

“Some officers have been suspended without following the due process. We are seeking a statement in the county assembly on the status of the Kisii County Cabinet. It is unfair that we continue to condemn our people unheard,” they said.

The assembly Minority Chief Whip Bouse Mairura said the suspension of Chief Officers was a witch-hunt.

“The assembly leadership must stand up to be counted. We need answers and the ongoing suspension. Brain drain among county staff is worrying. Let workers be allowed to work as per their code of conduct and not on political affiliations,” he said.