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Kisii Deputy Governor Monda ousted as Senate confirms impeachment.

Kisii Deputy Governor Robert Onsare Monda Ousted by Senate. (Photo: Courtesy)

By Barack Oduor | Friday, March 15, 2024

Monda was accused by Kisii Ward Representatives of gross violation of the Constitution and law, abuse of office, gross misconduct, and crimes under national law.

Kisii County Deputy Governor Robert Onsare Monda has become the first deputy to a governor in office to lose his seat through impeachment.

The besieged deputy governor failed to convince the senate to save his position on Thursday after a majority of Senators voted to uphold the four charges against him by the members of the Kisii County Assembly.

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He is the second deputy governor whose case has been determined by the senate after a bid to impeach Siaya Governor William Oduol flopped last year.

Monda was accused by Kisii Ward Representatives of gross violation of the Constitution and law, abuse of office, gross misconduct, and crimes under national law.

"The result of the division indicates that the senators have upheld the following impeachment charges; gross violation of the constitution and any other law, abuse of office, gross misconduct and crimes under national law.

"According to article 181 of the Constitution, section 33 (7) of the County Government's Act and standing order 86 of the Senate standing orders, the senate has resolved to remove from office by impeachment Dr Robert Monda, the Deputy Governor of Kisii County and the deputy governor therefore ceases to hold office," Senate Speaker Amason Kingi said.

On the first and second counts, 39 senators voted in favour of his removal from office, three voted against and one abstained.

On the third count, 35 senators voted in favour of Monda's removal, seven voted against while one abstained. On the last count, 32 senators voted for his removal, 10 against and one abstained.

Before the tension-ridden vote, the deputy governor had earlier on denied all the charges against him with accusations of him soliciting a bribe of Sh800,000 from a local to help him secure a job for his son becoming the highlight of the impeachment.

“By virtue of the deputy governor requesting and receiving a bribe of Sh800,000, he is in breach of the provisions of Article 232 which obligates public officers to observe the values and principles of public service, " the charges read.

The MCAs said in the charges that Monda used his office to intimidate and cow his family into hiding, fearing for their lives in contravention of section 34 of the Integrity Act, 2012.

They accused Monda of continuously diverting county enforcement officers from their course of duty to work in his firm.

He was removed from office by Members of the Kisii County Assembly on Thursday, February 29, after 53 members voted in favour of the ouster motion.