Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Monday, 19 August 2024
Senate members interrogated County Assembly witness Hon. Zipporah Kinya about the size of the Governor’s office staff, citing claims of a bloated workforce and an excessive wage bill. The witness confirmed 111 employees, detailed categories such as cleaners and information officers, and referenced documents and advisories from the Auditor‑General, Transition Authority and IGRTC as evidence. Senators debated the scheduling of witness clarifications, with Sen. Gloria urging earlier opportunities to question witnesses and the Temporary Speaker ruling on procedural points. The ensuing exchange between the witness, Mr. Elias Mutuma, and MCA Hon. Zipporah Kinya centered on whether a petition‑letter was addressed to the Governor or County Secretary, marked by repeated interruptions and a tense tone. The witnesses, Mr. Jacob Kirari and Mr. Elisha Ongoya, examined the existence and handling of specific letters recorded in a register, repeatedly questioning who received each correspondence. The exchange highlighted procedural uncertainties about record‑keeping and the role of staff member Joy in logging letters, with occasional confrontational remarks.
Clerk, do we have quorum? Sen. Orwoba and Sen. Beth Syengo, take your seats so that we start this afternoon’s business. Clerk, you may proceed to call the first Order.
[(The Clerk-at-the-Table consulted with the Speaker)]
[(Sen. Orwoba and Sen. Beth Syengo walked into the Chamber)]
Hon. Senators and parties to this impeachment proceedings, we are first going to hear the case of the County Assembly. Counsel for the County Assembly, you have four hours to present your case. The four hours include the evidence-in-chief, cross-examination and re-examination.
This is how we are going to conduct this investigation. You will call a witness, they will be sworn in, and you will lead them in evidence-in-chief. Thereafter, they will be cross-examined by the team for the Governor. You will proceed to re-examine the witness and, thereafter, the Senators will be allowed to seek any clarification or ask questions to that witness. The time taken by the Senators …
Is there any other action that was taken by the Governor after we came to the Senate? Yes or no?
I am not aware.
The Governor has not done anything else concerning those individuals apart from what had transpired previously. Is it not so?
I am not aware.
Thank you. Let us go to the last issue of a bloated workforce. I want you to read the first five and the last five names in the list you have attached in your current Motion of Impeachment, where you are alleging that the Governor has employed a bloated workforce. Go to Page 164 of volume two of your document. I want you to read the first five and the last five names. First of all, confirm, how m…
Yes.
Please, read the first five and the last five names.
Yes.
Thank you. Let us go to the last issue of a bloated workforce. I want you to read the first five and the last five names in the list you have attached in your current Motion of Impeachment, where you are alleging that the Governor has employed a bloated workforce. Go to Page 164 of volume two of your document. I want you to read the first five and the last five names. First of all, confirm, how m…
Yes.
Please, read the first five and the last five names.
Yes.
The first five names, kindly.
I read them?
Yes, read them.
The first name is Gitonga Harrison Gatobu.
Second name?
Linda Gakii Kiome.
Third name?
Fourth name?
Gideon Kimathi.
Fifth name?
Very well Counsel, we may proceed. That was a procedural matter that we had to dispense with. For your guidance, you had already utilized 10 minutes, you have 50 minutes to conclude with your evidence.
Sorry?
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