36 out of 46 MCAs voted for the impeachment of the Governor, achieving the two-thirds majority as required by the constitution.
Earlier in the day, the MCAs voted to extend the sitting in order to debate the impeachment motion. The Governor had been accused of abuse of office and gross misconduct.
He was accused of irregularly ceding powers to his wife Wajir First Lady Kheira Omar.
Abdi’s reign has been marred by controversy after he spent almost two years in and out of court over a case challenging his academic papers.
Another petition had been filed by Osman Mohamed, a Wajir resident, at the Senate seeking Abdi’s removal from office.
Wajir Senator Ali Abdullahi supported Osman’s bid noting that the majority of projects within the county moved at a snail’s pace while others had been put to a halt.
“We have been to almost every office in this country with these complaints. Once we complain, the governor does what he does best, compromising the officials,†Ali stated.
Abdi joins former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and his Kiambu Counterpart Ferdinand Waititu who were both impeached by county assemblies.
Sonko had been accused of abuse of office and gross misconduct. This led to an impeachment motion filed by Nairobi MCAs who sought his removal.
In December 2020, a total of 88 MCAs out of 122 voted for the impeachment of the Governor.
Waititu, on the other hand, was accused of mishandling county funds and abuse of office. This led to an impeachment motion filed by Ndenderu MCA Solomon Kinuthia. In December 2019, a total of 63 MCAs voted unanimously to impeach Waititu.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM
