A fierce political showdown has erupted between Kitui Governor Julius Malombe and Assembly Speaker Kevin Katisya, with the latter accusing the governor of orchestrating a plot to impeach him. Katisya claims that the executive, under Malombe’s leadership, is keen on his removal for resisting an alleged scheme to control the county assembly and its members.
During recent interviews on vernacular radio and TV stations, Katisya stated that he had evidence of an ongoing plot to impeach him. He asserted that certain forces outside the assembly were working tirelessly to ensure his ouster, simply because he had refused to bow to pressure aimed at undermining the independence of the assembly. According to Katisya, the ultimate goal of these efforts was to neutralize the oversight role of the assembly, turning it into a mere rubber stamp for the county executive’s decisions.
“I am aware that there are people outside the Kitui County Assembly out to make sure I am impeached. I have also received papers to that effect,” Katisya revealed on Wednesday. He added that he would not be intimidated and was determined to continue discharging his duties in line with the law.
In a swift and strongly worded rejoinder, Governor Malombe dismissed Katisya’s claims as baseless and accused him of overstepping his mandate. Malombe maintained that Katisya was acting beyond his role as speaker and instead behaving like an elected MCA, which he is not.
“He has the responsibility of guiding debate in the assembly as the speaker. He is not the boss of the MCAs, but rather, they are his bosses,” Malombe stated. He criticized Katisya for making anti-government statements and spreading misleading information through television appearances and social media platforms.
Malombe further challenged MCAs to take action against Katisya, emphasizing that they were the ones who elected him into office. Addressing MCAs during the launch of a newborn unit at the Kitui County Referral Hospital, the governor refuted claims made by Katisya that county health facilities lacked essential drugs.
“You have made yourselves appear like he is your boss, but the contrary is true,” Malombe told the MCAs, led by Health Committee Chair Bernard Munyasya.
As the political tension escalates, the battle lines between the county executive and the assembly leadership continue to deepen. Whether Katisya will face an impeachment motion remains to be seen, but the standoff signals a turbulent period in Kitui’s county politics.
