Uhuru’s Reaction to Waititu’s Impeachment

President Kenyatta reacted to the impeachment of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu.

The Senate on Wednesday approved Waititu’s impeachment on the grounds of gross violation of the Constitution and public finance management act, crimes under the national law and gross misconduct/abuse of office.

Waititu was ousted in December 2019 after 63 out of 92 Members of the Kiambu County Assembly (MCAs) voted in support of an impeachment motion tabled by Ndenderu Ward Representative Solomon Kinuthia. 

In the motion, MCA Kinuthia cited gross misconduct and abuse of office as the main grounds for Waititu’s impeachment. He also accused Waititu of flouting the public procurement and disposal act by influencing the award of contracts to companies associated with his immediate family and close relatives.

Waititu also faced another accusation of violating the constitution by forcefully dispossessing and unlawfully occupying a parcel of land in Thika belonging to Cecilia Njoki Mbugua, a widow.

Speaking in Nyandarua on Friday, President Kenyatta warned that more leaders would be sent home and to prison over corruption. 

"It is only a matter of time. These people (corrupt politicians and state officials) will be in Kamiti. They were not elected to loot public funds,” Kenyatta said.

He urged Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia and other leaders to prudently manage public funds to avoid finding themselves in the same situation as Waititu.

“Kimemia be alert. These MCAs might land you in the same trouble as seen in some other place. You have seen what they are capable of doing in Kiambu…If your hand is long, it will be cut short, not by me but by those who own the resources (Kenyans)," stated Uhuru.

Kenyatta also declared that the ongoing war against corruption would continue and no one, including his friends, would be spared.

"Even if you are my best friend, I won't be your friend if you dip a hand in the public coffers. To some, when I look at the other side, they dip their hands to steal, when I turn back I find they have eaten everything from the basket. Not anymore. We must protect public resources.”

"They are saying when I fight graft that I am targeting individuals. No. Those being sought after are those who have taken what does not belong to them." 

“You are going to see more arrests. You leaders, be careful. This is a different Kenya,” he added.