Senate launches the impeachment manual and digest to ensure fair and consistent impeachment process

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

The Senate, led by the Speaker of the Senate Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi, in collaboration with ACT! Kenya Devolution Programme has launched the Impeachment Manual and Digest to tighten the loose ends in the impeachment process.

The digest is a comprehensive document that provides a structured guide to ensure that impeachment a crucial accountability tool is applied fairly, consistently and within the bounds of the law.

Over the last ten years, the Senate has adjudicated upon 15 impeachment proceedings against county governors, five of which were upheld, while others were overturned sometimes due to procedural lapses rather than the absence of wrongdoing.

Five cases ended up in court, where two were upheld, the latest one being of former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and three were nullified, often due to lack of public participation, procedural violations or failure to meet the constitutional threshold.

While officially launching the digest at a Nairobi hotel yesterday, March 20, the Speaker of the Senate hailed the manual as a game changer in ensuring impeachment proceedings and safeguarding against abuse of power.

“One of the most valuable contributions of this manual is clarifying the role of judicial intervention in impeachment. What role should the courts play? When does judicial oversight become overreach? The manual details these boundaries, ensuring that impeachment remains a legislative function while respecting the rule of law,” Speaker Kingi said.

He said that the manual demystifies the evidentiary burden and standard of proof, ensuring that impeachment cases are backed by solid facts, not political motivations, adding that that will enhance fairness in both prosecution and defence.

The comprehensive impeachment manual and digest were compiled by the Senate in collaboration with the Government of the United Kingdom through the Kenya Devolution Programme (Timiza Ugatuzi) and Act Change Transform (ACT!)

Also present during the launch were Devolution Committee Chairperson and Wajir Senator Mohammed Abass, Deputy Clerk of the Senate Mr Mohammed Ali, Council of Governors CEO Ms Mary Mwiti, Judiciary Chief Registrar Hon. Winfridah Mokaya and Chief Consultant Dr Conrad Bosire among many other stakeholders.