A Nyahururu High Court has ordered the opening of the Nyandarua County Assembly premises, and directed embattled Speaker Wahome Ndegwa not to interfere with a motion to impeach him.
Justice Charles Kariuki, on Thursday, directed Speaker Ndegwa not to meddle in the House business before his impeachment motion slated for December 24, 2020.
Deputy Speaker Zachary Njeru, had petitioned the court over unprocedural closure of the county Assembly premises by Wahome, “in a bid to scuffle a motion for his removal from office, via an impeachment process.”
“Pending the hearing and determination of the petition, the court directs the respondent (Ndegwa Wahome) to immediately reopen the Assembly offices and desist from interfering with the activities of Deputy Speaker, to oversee the processing of the impeachment tabled against him,” read in part Justice Kariuki’s orders, dated December 17, 2020.
The orders paved way for the gazettement of a special sitting for Thursday December 24, 2020, with the Deputy Speaker, directing the clerk and all staff to be at their places of work, on that day.
On Thursday afternoon, over 30 MCAs approved and signed a letter inviting the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to investigate Mr Wahome over corruption, abuse of office and nepotism allegations.
Led by Assembly Majority Leader Ednard King’ori, the MCAs accused the speaker of engaging in corruption and unethical practices including employing at least ten members of his immediate family in various positions in the Assembly.
“The Speaker ensured that Ms Nancy Njoki Muriithi who works with Mr Wahome Ndegwa and Company Advocates law firm, without the Speaker declaring his interest, was appointed as a member of the County Assembly Public Service Board-CAPSB,” noted Kingori.
Speaker Wahome is also accused of influencing the tendering of his personal vehicle for hire to the Assembly at an inflated cost of Sh12, 000 per day, against the vehicle capacity rates that stood at Sh3, 000 a day.
The MCAs also suspect that Wahome received kickbacks from the contractor undertaking the construction of the Sh500 million office complex that has since stalled, with the Speaker demanding more Sh100 million for its completion, among other accusations.
Deputy Speaker, invited Wahome to “respond in writing, setting out the grounds for opposition, within seven days.”
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