Governor Arati Picks New Deputy After Robert Monda Impeachment

Kisii County Governor Simba Arati has nominated his new deputy to replace Robert Monda who was impeached by the Senate last week.

The county boss on Wednesday, March 20 nominated county public service board chair Elijah Obebo to be his deputy, a move that sees him set his sights on candidates within his county government.

This was announced by Kisii County Assembly Speaker Philip Nyanumba during a sitting.

“Amendment Act 2012 as led with the provision of the public appointment county assembly’s approval Act 5 of 2017, I do here nominate the following person as shown below for the position of the Deputy Governor for vetting and approval by the county assembly. Name Mr. Elijah Obebo,” the communication to the Speaker read in part.

Kisii Deputy Governor nominee Elijah Obebo. /THE KENYA TIMES

Obebo currently serves as the Kisii County Public Service Board Chairperson a position he has held since November 2023.

Arati's pick was in adherence to the requirement to nominate a new deputy within the next 14 days, following Monda's impeachment. The nominee will then be considered by the County Assembly within 60 days.

The Senate on Friday, March 15 impeached Monda, who became the first Deputy Governor under the 2010 constitution to be removed from office via an impeachment.

The Senators voted to uphold the DG's removal from office by way of impeachment, and thus, Monda ceased to hold office immediately. A vote taken by Senators on midnight, Friday upheld the decision by the Kisii County Members of the County Assembly to have him removed from office.

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

The Senate vote tallied 39 in favour of upholding the abuse of office charge, with three against and one abstention.

For gross misconduct, 35 senators voted affirmatively, with three opposed and one abstaining. Regarding the charge of committing crimes under national law, 34 senators found Monda guilty, while 10 sought to defend him, with one abstention.

The Senate's decision, led by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, also the Senate Majority Whip, meant that Simba Arati's deputy lost his battle against all charges brought against him in Parliament.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced the decision, stating, "The result of the division indicates that the senators have upheld the following impeachment charges: a gross violation of the constitution and any other law, abuse of office, gross misconduct, and crimes under national law."

Monda allegedly received a Ksh800,000 bribe from Dennis Mokaya to help him secure a position at the Gusii Water and Sanitation Company (GWSC).

The former Kisii Deputy Governor was also accused of instigating the arrest and detention of his brother, Reuben Monda.

In response to the impeachment, Monda moved to the Kisii Law Courts to appeal his impeachment and save his political career.