Defiance in Nakuru County.

Derrick Khisa.

A last minute attempt by Governor Lee Kinyanjui to save his roads executive committee member Lucy Kariuki from being impeached flopped, after ward representatives voted to cast her out of the cabinet over allegations of gross misconduct. Less than 24 hours after Governor Kinyanjui did a reshuffle to his cabinet transferring Kariuki from the Roads and infrastructure docket to the department of Youth, Gender, Culture and Social services, the members of the county assembly voted 49 votes against 29 to kick her out of government.

In the reshuffle, Governor Kinyanjui appointed his deputy Erick Korir as the acting county executive in charge of roads. Although in his press release, the governor said the changes were meant to improve service delivery, it was evident that it had something to do with impending impeachment. The ward representatives unanimously adopted the report of the special committee that was formed to investigate Kariuki. “Pursuant to standing orders, if a resolution is supported by a majority of the house, the speaker shall deliver the resolution for further action.” Said the speaker.

After passing the motion, the ad-hoc committee chairman Peter Kajwang’ told the media that the decision by the governor to move Kariuki to head another docket was misinformed. Kajwang’ who represents Kaptembwo ward said the motion as presented by the committee cited Kariuki’s incompetence, abuse of office and gross misconduct. Peter Palanq’a the minority leader in the assembly said, by impeaching Kariuki, members had made their decision and expect the Governor to act on their decision.