Will Nyaribo Be Lucky Twice? Nyamira Governor Faces New Impeachment Bid

Nyaribo Governor Amos Kimwomi Nyaribo finds himself once again on the brink of political uncertainty, with the Nyamira County Assembly tabling a second impeachment motion against him in less than a year. This new challenge follows a dramatic previous attempt to remove him from office, which he narrowly survived in October 2023. As the Assembly gears up for public hearings this Friday, the political stakes for Nyaribo could not be higher.

In October 2023, Nyaribo thwarted an impeachment attempt when 18 MCAs voted against the motion while 16 supported it. The motion, led by Esise Ward MCA Josiah Mang’era, cited several grounds including alleged illegal recruitment of staff, failure to remit statutory dues, favoritism, and nepotism. Mang’era’s bid fell short, as the majority of MCAs from Nyaribo’s United Progressive Alliance (UPA) party united to block the motion. This UPA majority, which included six elected and 15 nominated MCAs, was instrumental in securing Nyaribo’s survival at that time.

Nyaribo’s political adversaries, including members of the Wiper party, are now pushing for his removal again. Nominated MCA Evans Juma Matunda, representing Wiper, has tabled the new impeachment motion. Matunda accuses Nyaribo of gross violations of the Constitution, abuse of office, and gross misconduct. This marks a significant escalation in Nyaribo’s ongoing political battle.

Public participation is set to be a key component of the impeachment process. On Friday, the Assembly will conduct hearings across Nyamira’s constituencies, including West Mugirango, North Mugirango, Masaba North, and Manga. These public forums will gather citizen opinions on Nyaribo’s potential removal. The results could significantly influence the outcome of the impeachment bid.

The previous impeachment attempt highlighted several issues within Nyaribo’s administration, including allegations of bypassing the Assembly and mishandling recruitment processes. The accusations, however, failed to convince the majority of the MCAs to support the motion. At that time, Nyaribo’s supporters successfully rallied against the impeachment, leveraging their numerical advantage to maintain his position.

Nyaribo has previously attributed the impeachment attempts to political machinations by his opponents. He alleged that his rivals, including those he defeated in the gubernatorial race, were orchestrating the impeachment attempts. Despite his claims, no concrete evidence was presented to substantiate these allegations.

This year, Nyaribo’s administration has faced additional scrutiny. Recent Gen Z protests at his offices accused him of corruption and nepotism, further complicating his political landscape. The governor has responded by pledging to engage more with the youth to address their concerns, aiming to quell the discontent and reinforce his position.

Adding to his troubles, last week, the Senate Committee on County Public Investments and Special Funds paused its investigation into Nyamira County’s financial discrepancies due to Nyaribo’s inadequate responses. The committee is scrutinizing the use of county funds from previous financial years, an issue that has intensified scrutiny on Nyaribo’s administration.

As Nyaribo braces for the outcome of the upcoming public hearings, his political future hangs in the balance. With a history of narrow escapes from impeachment and ongoing public and political challenges, the governor’s ability to navigate these turbulent waters will be crucial in determining whether he can secure his position once again.

Nyaribo’s political survival will depend on his ability to address the grievances raised by his critics and to garner sufficient support from the MCAs and the public. As the political drama unfolds, all eyes will be on Nyamira to see if Nyaribo can defy the odds and emerge victorious a second time.