James Nyoro Sworn-In as New Kiambu Governor Following Waititu’s Impeachment

Dr. James Nyoro was on Friday sworn-in as the new Kiambu Governor, taking over from Ferdinand Waititu, whose impeachment was approved by the Senate on Wednesday.

Dr. Nyoro took an oath of office at a ceremony presided over by High Court Justice John Onyiego and in the presence of Kiambu Chief Magistrate Patricia Gichohi.

“The law has been complied with fully,” said Chief Magistrate Gichohi.

There were songs and dance after Governor Nyoro signed the certificate of inauguration, officially taking over the reins at the helm of the Kiambu County.

Waititu becomes the first governor in the history of Kenya to be successfully removed from office via impeachment.

Senators on Wednesday voted in favor of 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 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. The motion met the required two-thirds majority threshold after only one MCA voted against it while 28 members were absent.

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.