MP Mohammed Ali files petition to impeach Transport CS James Macharia over gross misconduct

Nyali Member of Parliament Mohammed Ali has filed a petition seeking to impeach Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia over alleged gross misconduct and violation of the Constitution.

In the petition signed by 90 Members of Parliament, Macharia is accused of overseeing stalled government projects worth Ksh.100 billion and being part of the Afya House scandal that saw taxpayers lose Ksh.5.2 billion in 2016 when he was the Health CS.

“Cabinet Secretary James Macharia has failed to set up crucial infrastructure such as highways, bridges, ports and airports despite such projects being hailed as important for the country’s economic growth,” reads the petition.

The Transport CS is also blamed for failing to explain the loss of Ksh.1.5 billion that was meant for construction of housing projects in Nairobi by Suraya Property Group, which he (Ali) has linked to Macharia.

The Nyali MP, popularly known as Jicho Pevu, further says CS Macharia has sidelined transport stakeholders in the implementation of the directive to have all cargo from the Port of Mombasa transported through the Standard Gauge Railway, thus causing public suffering.

“This has caused a lot of public suffering in the transport sector which has led to many businesses closing down and loss of over 100,000 jobs,” reads the petition. “It is very annoying that the Cabinet Secretary continues to ignore stakeholders in the implementation  ministry projects.”

The lawmaker says the CS has been forcefully having cargo be transported to the Nairobi Inland Container Depot violating human rights and freedoms.

CS Macharia is also accused of lying under oath when he appeared before Parliamentary Committees and assured lawmakers that directives on transport cargo had been suspended, yet it was not the case.

National Assembly Clerk Micheal Sialai has confirmed receiving the petition by the Nyali MP.

“The matter will be processed under the applicable provisions of the Standing Orders and House precedents and the Speaker will give direction within the next three days,” Sialai told Citizen Digital.