The swearing-in of James Nyoro as governor of Kiambu has been postponed to an undisclosed date.
Nyoro was set to take oath of office Thursday morning, but by noon, the judge who supposed to preside over the event, Justice John Onyiengo, had not shown up at the venue, even as the Kiambu electorate flocked the county headquarters, to witness the historic fete.
Videos shared from the county on Thursday show citizens and politicians dancing jubilantly, in anticipation of the hammering-in of the last nail in ousted governor Ferdinand Waititu’s coffin.
In a Thursday statement, the Judiciary apologized for the inconvenience caused to Kiambu citizens, saying a new date would be communicated afterwards.
Waititu was impeached on the grounds of contravening procurement and financial management regulations, abuse of office, and gross misconduct.
Hours after the gazettement of the senate decision, Waititu took to the Milimani law courts to file a petition against his ouster, clinging on to the courts as his last straw.
The move to swear Nyoro in, less than a day since Waititu was ousted, sparked a heated debate amongst senators, with the ex-governor’s supporters terming the move as unconstitutional.
Boss , you and I approved this bill in reference to Assumption of office after a General Election. In Kiambu, a vacancy has occurred under Art 182 and the deputy shall assume office under 182(2). Needless to say , I agree with you that we are back into a working nation
— Sen Mutula KilonzoJR (@SenMutula) January 30, 2020
Those who voted to show Waititu the door, however, responded with defiance, maintaining that a vacuum had been created following his impeachment, which needed to be promptly filled.