Wajir Governor Mohamed Abdi Mohamud has been impeached from office.
A total of 25 Senators voted yesterday night in favour of the removal of Mohamud over alleged gross violation of the Constitution.
This comes despite Mohamud’s plead for leniency in light of the charges levelled against him and his office.
“I wish to plead with the senators to be sympathetic and not just impeach me just because of one issue. It can be a violation of the Constitution but it is not a gross violation,” he said.
A committee chaired by Nyamira Senator Okon’go Omogeni had recommended Mohamud’s ouster noting that it was satisfied that he had flouted County Government Act, Public Procurement Act, and Asset Disposal Act, and the Public Finance Management Act.
The Wajir County Assembly alleged that the governor had caused the health sector to run into disarray compromising the right to the highest attainable health standards.
“…over Ksh.2.4 billion had been allocated to the department of medical service but the county referral hospital lab could not conduct Covid-19 tests due to faulty test kits and lack of reagents,” complained Wajir County Assembly.
In his defence, Mohamud termed the process political.
According to Mohamud, his accusers had not demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt that he had indeed committed gross violation of the constitution.
“What the committee has said is that health was an issue that is impeachable. It might be but it does not amount to gross violation of the constitution Mr. Speaker.” He told the Senate.
He denied that healthcare in Wajir had suffered under his leadership adding that the allegations levelled against him do not meet the threshold of impeachment.
The county boss said that his administration has built 50 new health facilities, acquired a powerful generator to run an oxygen plant and the entire county referral hospital.
The impeachment takes effect immediately, though Abdi can appeal the decision in court.