Fresh blow for Waititu as court declines to bar Governor Nyoro from appointing deputy

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu suffered a fresh blow on Monday after the High Court declined to issue orders barring Governor James Nyoro from appointing a deputy.

Waititu, through his lawyers, on Monday asked the court to exercise its jurisdiction under the Mutunga Rules and direct that Nyoro should not appoint a deputy pending hearing and determination of a case where he is challenging his impeachment.

However, Justice James Makau declined to grant the orders, noting that Waititu had failed to tell the court what prejudice he will suffer if a deputy governor is appointed.

The judge pointed out that Waititu had failed to demonstrate a prima facie case to warrant issuance of the said orders, adding that appointment of a deputy governor can be challenged in court.

Waititu became the first governor in the history of Kenya to be successfully removed from office after he was, in December last year, impeached by Kiambu MCAs and their vote upheld by the Senate on Wednesday last week.

He was kicked out of office by the Senate on three charges: Gross Violation of the Constitution & Public Finance Management Act; Crimes Under the National Law; and Gross Misconduct/Abuse of Office.

Meanwhile, he has since filed a case challenging his impeachment, arguing that the process of removing him and swearing in Nyoro was done illegally.