Understanding the Impeachment of County Speakers, Spotlight on Kitui and Machakos

The impeachment of a County Assembly Speaker is one of the most dramatic political battles in Kenya’s devolved units, and recent turbulence in Kitui and Machakos has thrown the spotlight back on this process. In Kitui, Speaker Kevin Kinengo Katisya is facing mounting pressure after MCAs introduced an impeachment motion, while in Machakos, Speaker Ann Kiusya has had her share of turbulence with repeated attempts to push her out of office.

The procedure begins with a notice of motion, where an MCA lays out grounds for removal such as abuse of office, violation of the Constitution, incompetence, or gross misconduct. In Kitui, the motion against Kinengo is being framed around political disagreements, while in Machakos, Speaker Kiusya has previously been accused of bias in presiding over the house.

For any such motion to advance, it must secure the backing of at least one-third of MCAs. Without this threshold, attempts to impeach collapse instantly, a safeguard meant to shield Speakers from harassment through endless motions. This requirement has, in the past, been both a shield and a hurdle for embattled Speakers across the country.

If the motion gathers enough signatures, it is scheduled for debate. The Speaker does not preside over their own removal proceedings; instead, the Deputy Speaker or a temporary chair steps in. This was the case in Machakos when Ann Kiusya’s fate was debated, and it is the stage Kitui is edging towards with Kinengo’s impeachment motion.

The ultimate test comes in the vote. A Speaker can only be removed if at least two-thirds of MCAs support the motion. Anything less, and the Speaker survives, with the same charges barred from being reintroduced for six months. This supermajority threshold is what has saved Speaker Kiusya in previous attempts, though it remains to be seen if Kinengo can marshal the numbers in Kitui.

Should the motion succeed, the Speaker immediately vacates office and the assembly must elect a replacement within 14 days. However, impeachments rarely end on the assembly floor. Both Katisya and Kiusya, like other Speakers across Kenya, could turn to the courts, challenging the legality of the process and alleging political witch-hunts, ensuring the drama lingers far beyond the chambers.

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