By TWV Political Affairs Desk
Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo survived impeachment after the Senate dismissed the motion on a technicality. He arrived at the Senate earlier in the company of his lead counsel, Ombui Ratemo, and supporting advocate, Brian Muriithi.
The governor cut a composed but visibly tense figure as he entered the chamber shortly after 9:30 a.m. yesterday. Dressed in a navy-blue suit and red tie, the colours of the national flag, Mr Nyaribo exchanged brief handshakes with allies before taking his seat at the bar of the House (the designated area for participants called before the legislative body).
The impeachment motion, which passed through the Nyamira County Assembly last month with an overwhelming majority, accused the second-term governor of gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, and gross misconduct, particularly regarding the award of multi-million-shilling tenders and alleged misappropriation of county funds.
Senior Counsel Ombui Ratemo argued that the charges were “politically orchestrated and legally defective.” He added: “We have demonstrated, both on paper and orally, that the assembly failed to accord the governor a fair hearing and that several of the allegations do not meet the constitutional threshold for removal.”
His submissions proved decisive. The Senate later upheld a preliminary objection raised by the defence team, led by advocate Elias Mutuma, ruling that the County Assembly had not met the required two-thirds threshold for approving the motion due to irregularities in the voting process.
For his part, Governor Nyaribo struck a measured tone, telling reporters: “I have faith in the Senate to separate political noise from constitutional substance. The people of Nyamira elected me to serve, and I remain committed to that mandate.”
Sitting as a full House under Speaker Amason Kingi, the Senate heard arguments from both the County Assembly’s legal team and the governor’s defence before individual senators posed questions. In a vote that stretched beyond official hours, 38 senators supported upholding the preliminary objection, while only four voted to allow the proceedings to continue.
“The motion having been approved, the hearing of the proposed removal from office by impeachment of Hon. Amos Kimwomi Nyaribo, Governor of Nyamira County, is hereby terminated,” Speaker Kingi declared.
This marks the third time Mr Nyaribo has survived an impeachment attempt, fourth overall, following similar technical dismissals involving the governors of Isiolo and Kericho.
