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Oparanya faces impeachment for failure to appear before Senate

A motion seeking the impeachment of Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has been filed at the Kakamega County Assembly.

The motion by Mahiakalo ward representative Cleophas Malala  wants the Assembly to declare the governor unfit on the grounds of abuse office and gross misconduct.

Mr Malala’s motion is based Mr Oparanya’s failure to present himself before a Senate committee to respond to audit queries in the 2013/2014 Auditor- General’s report.

Mr Oparanya moved to court to block the Senate Public Accounts and Investment Committee from summoning him to appear before it to respond to the queries.

However, Leader of Majority Robert Makhanu said the motion had little chance of succeeding since the mover had not received the one third support from members from the Assembly.

Signatures from MCAs

“We are aware the mover of the motion is being used by political rivals of the governor to try and remove him from office but we will not allow the motion to be tabled for debate in the Assembly,” said Mr Makhanu.

He said Mr Malala had not obtained signatures from MCAs he claims support the impeachment motion, describing the petition as a mischievous attempt to blackmail the governor over baseless claims.

“What we have from Mr Malala is a wish list in form of motion that will not go beyond the desk of the clerk to the Assembly,” said Mr Makhanu.

The motion is the latest attempt by Mr Malala to have the governor removed from office. The MCA who has been involved in several political tussles with the Mr Oparanya said he had nothing personal against the governor but wanted him removed from office on account of poor leadership.

He said the County Assembly had become a big letdown to residents of Kakamega for failing to perform its oversight role effectively.

“I would like to remind the honourable House of the oath of office we took individually to protect and defend the sovereign Constitution of Kenya,” said Mr Malala.