Kitui ward reps approve motion to remove CEC

Kitui MCAs have approved a motion to remove finance and economic planning executive Peter Kilonzo.

The motion by Kiomo/Kyethani MCA Antonty Musyoka received the support of 32 ward reps while 12 opposed it during a Kitui assembly plenary sitting that was presided over by speaker Kevin Katisya.

Fifteen MCAs were absent.

The county assembly consequently agreed to form a special committee to probe the accusations against Kilonzo and return their verdict in the next seven days.

Kilonzo is expected to appear before the committee and defend himself against the accusations levelled against him, which include but not limited to violations of the constitution and any other laws, abuse of office and gross misconduct.

As he tabled the notice of the impeachment motion, Musyoka claimed Kilonzo failed to comply with statutory obligations and deadlines.

He further claimed that the foregoing impeded the efficient functioning of the county government of Kitui.

Musyoka also alleged that Kilonzo’s ineptness had compromised the operational stability and financial planning of the county. He cites Kilonzo’s alleged failure to adhere to the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, 2012 on the designation of receivers of county government revenue.

Musyoka accuses the CEC of unlawful submission of a memorandum on the approved County Fiscal Strategy Paper 2024-25, misreporting on IFMIS uploading for the Kitui County Supplementary II for financial year 2023- 24 and unrealistic county own source revenue target.

The ward rep also accuses Kilonzo of allegedly using his authority as CEC to solicit bribes from contractors before approving their payments contrary to the Bribery Act, 2016, Chapter Six of the Constitution and the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012.

To justify the charge of misconduct, Musyoka claims Kilonzo was inappropriately using his public office for personal gain by influencing the drilling of Mayaani 001 and Mayaani 002 boreholes on family land in Mayaani village in Athi Ward.

He claimed that happened contrary to the approved FY 2023-24 budget allocation of a borehole at Senda village in the same Athi ward, which Kilonzo represented before he was dethroned during the 2022 election.

Musyoka accused the CEC of unlawful submission of a memorandum challenging the approved CFSP contrary to the County Governments Act, 2012 and the Kitui County Assembly standing orders.

The Star commits to publish Kilonzo's responses to the accusations once made before the assembly.