The fate of Kisii Deputy Governor Robert Monda now rests with the County Assembly and the National Senate after the High Court declined to halt his impeachment process. Justice Teresa Odera ruled that denying interim orders at this stage would not cause any prejudice, and granting them might affect the outcome of the proceedings.
Monda had urgently approached the court through President William Ruto’s lawyer, Katwa Kigen, seeking to quash the impeachment motion based on eight grounds. Kigen emphasized the urgency, asserting that Monda faced irreparable injury from the impeachment process.
Kigen argued that the impeachment process was “fatally defective” as the notice dated February 13 did not exhibit execution by one-third of the Members of the County Assembly, as required by Section 33 of the County Governments Act (2012) and Standing Order 60(1), 60(5), and 60(6). He also contended that the exercise was three days overdue.
“It means it is time-barred, and the case the petitioner would need to respond to on February 29 is still evolving on matters made by the public, making his defense impossible,” Kigen argued.
Ichuni Ward Representative Wycliffe Siocha filed the impeachment motion on February 21, citing gross violation of the constitution, abuse of office, gross misconduct, and crimes under national law. Dr. Monda was instructed to appear before the House to defend himself on the specified date.