Waititu’s court bid to unseat Nyoro flops

• Feb 25, 2022

Waititu’s court bid to unseat Nyoro flops

By Justus Karanja

The High Court has upheld the Senate’s impeachment of former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu (pictured) thereby dashing any hopes for him to contest for an elective seat in the August 9 General Election.

On Thursday, February 24, the court dismissed Waititu’s petition challenging his impeachment and installation of current governor James Nyoro.

But Waititu, through his lawyers, declared intention to appeal the ruling at the Court of Appeal.

A three-judge bench of the High Court ruled that the County Assembly and the Senate followed the law in the removal of Waititu from office and that he was accorded a fair hearing, declaring the process as constitutional.

"The impeachment of Waititu fully complied with the constitution and statutory requirements. We, therefore, find that the petition lacks merit and are hereby dismissed,” the court ruled.

In a unanimous judgment, Justices George Nduru, Grace Nzioka and Wilfreda Onkwany ruled that Waititu’s conduct warranted his removal from office.

They also noted that Waititu's conduct fails to meet the required standard since he is facing graft charges.

The judges further ruled that the swearing-in of Nyoro was constitutional.

The judgment follows a petition by Waititu who asked the court to kick out the current Kiambu governor for ascending to office illegally.

Waititu, who joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and even announced he would use it to contest the governor’s seat, now pegs his hopes on the Court of Appeal to overturn the High Court ruling.

An impeached governor cannot contest for an elective seat.