Bomet MCAs approve impeachment proceedings against ‘errant’ CECs

The Bomet County Assembly has approved the commencement of impeachment proceedings against three key members of the County Executive Committee (CEC) in the administration of Governor Hillary Barchok, paving the way for a battle to save their careers.

The executives — Mr Andrew Kimutai Sigei (Finance and Economic Planning), Erick Kipkoech Ngetich (Roads, Works and Transport) and Dr Joseph Kipngetich Kirui of Administration, Public Service and Special Programmes — are facing impeachment for serious misconduct, lack of integrity and misappropriation of funds.

Therefore, the General Assembly has established and approved three special committees. These committees will consider the charges against the CECs over the next ten days and present their findings to the House.

Speaker Cosmas Korir instructed the committee members to meet and elect a chair and vice-chair for the hearings. The schedule will be announced later.

“The committees will conduct legal proceedings against the CECs and will operate within the Constitution and the law, relevant statutes and Rules of Procedure. They will meet to adopt rules for conducting the investigations,” Mr Korir said after the session that ended after 10pm on Monday.

The latest development comes against the backdrop of a dispute between Governor Barchok and the MCAs over Sh96 million allegedly channelled through 10 departments in his administration to each of the 25 wards.

The MCAs accuse Professor Barchok of misleading the public and creating a political backlash against them in their respective districts.

MCAs Ann Mutai, Joseah Samoei, Kibet Ngetich, Dennis Ngeno and Erick Kirui have been appointed to the House committee to investigate the charges against Mr Sigei. The decision followed a vote in which 27 MCAs approved the process, with four abstentions and four against.

The charges against Dr Kirui are being handled by Ms Emily Cheruiyot, Mr Ernest Rotich, Mr Peter Mutai, Mr Nathan Kibet and Mr Victor Rop.

The charges against Mr Erick Ngetich are being assessed by a committee comprising Ms Roseline Cheptoo, Mr Dancel Kirui, Mr Richard Ruto, Mr Benard Langat and Mr Benard Kipkirui.

Kapletundo MCA Nathan Kibet filed an impeachment motion against Mr Sigei, accusing him of failing to ensure the publication of the County Fiscal Strategy Paper and County Annual Development Plan, in violation of the Public Finance Management Act of 2012.

Mr Kibet noted that the Budget Controller’s assessment report of April 2024 reported illegal operation of two bank accounts in the region.

Mr Sigei is accused of failing to ensure that the county had sufficient revenue streams, leading to a continued failure to meet its own revenue target. For the 2023-2024 financial year, the county collected Sh157,105,283 against a budgeted Sh332,041,830.

Mr Mutai stressed that Mr Ngetich failed to explain the use of Sh195 million for provincial roads and Sh78 million for cross-cutting roads in the 2023-24 budget year. Since there are no projects matching these amounts, it is concluded that the funds may have been misappropriated.

Dr Kirui is accused of neglecting payments to village managers for several months, as filed by Merigi ward MCA Peter Langat. Dr Kirui is accused of violating the National Social Security Fund Act and the National Hospital Insurance Fund Act by failing to pay statutory deductions on time, which led to significant debts to NSSF and NHIF and exposed county staff to distress.

He is also accused of failing to oversee the completion of critical infrastructure projects including the Governor’s residence and several ward offices despite repeated budget allocations over five years. Furthermore, Dr. Kirui has failed to provide adequate working conditions including proper furniture, work space, stipends and field allowances for county staff in Sub County and ward offices, demonstrating a lack of administrative competence.

The CEC is also accused of unprocedural extension of employment contracts for sub-ward administrators, which undermines the role of the County Public Service Board and established public service regulations. Dr Kirui is further accused of gross misconduct and contravening the Penal Code (cap 63) and the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, by attempting to cause physical harm to Bernard Langat within the confines of the county offices.

A total of 29 MCAs voted in favour of the motion, seven abstained and one voted against.