Kilifi Residents Reject Speaker Mwambire’s Impeachment, Term Motion a Political Witch-Hunt

News Likifi County Assembly Speaker Teddy Mwambire. Photo by Ben Okweingoti

By Ben Okweingoti

A section of Kilifi residents has strongly opposed the motion to impeach County Assembly Speaker Teddy Mwambire, accusing Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) of engaging in a politically motivated witch-hunt instead of prioritizing development.

Led by Charles Chigiri, chairman of the Kilifi Accountability Assembly 003 Patriots, the residents expressed concern over the MCAs’ urgency in pushing for Mwambire’s removal without a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.

“We are shocked that MCAs are obsessed with impeaching the speaker while neglecting critical development issues affecting our people. We caution any MCA supporting this politically charged motion that come 2027, voters will remember,” Chigiri warned.

According to the petition, 42 out of 51 MCAs have signed in support of Mwambire’s ouster, citing reasons such as incompetence, gross misconduct, abuse of office, and holding a political party position as chairperson of the ODM party in Kilifi County.

Chigiri further threatened legal action, stating, “If this impeachment succeeds, I will move to court to seek the removal of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, who also double as party leaders of Ford Kenya and PAA respectively.”

Another resident, Alex Kalama from Dabaso Ward, alleged that MCAs opposing the motion are being intimidated with threats of being denied development funds by allies of Governor Gideon Mung’aro. He claimed many MCAs signed the petition out of fear or political pressure.

“The MCAs are under pressure from MPs and county executives who benefit from tenders. Those pushing this agenda will be dumped once their usefulness ends,” Kalama warned.

Notably, the motion was tabled by Tezo Ward MCA and Assembly Minority Leader Thomas Chengo—himself a member of PAA, the party led by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi. Despite Kingi’s reported attempts to stop the motion, Chengo has remained defiant, now closely allied with Governor Mung’aro.

Chengo accused Mwambire of undermining the roles of county committees, citing the unilateral disbanding of the County Budget and Appropriations Committee and suspension of the 2025/2026 Program-Based Budget Estimates without consulting members. He also cited Mwambire’s recent failed bid for ODM chairmanship in Ganze as evidence of political bias.

“The speaker is serving his personal interests. His actions amount to gross misconduct and violate the Constitution and the Leadership and Integrity Act,” Chengo said.

Following the petition, Deputy Speaker Naftal Kombo formed a five-member ad hoc committee to investigate the allegations and present a report within 14 days. Members include Twahir Abdul Karim, Filster Auma Meso, Kantona Mae Mwadena, Hassan Said, and Ummi Mohammed.

Pending the investigation, Mwambire has been barred from performing any official duties, in accordance with Section 11C of the County Governments Act 2012.

Reacting to the allegations, Speaker Mwambire termed the impeachment efforts as baseless and politically engineered.

“The price tag and threats put on my head during this exercise are beyond belief. There is more than meets the eye. Let the public remain alert or we risk regretting later,” Mwambire said.

He added that although some had advised him to resign, he would stand firm in defense of the public interest.

Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, a vocal critic of Mwambire, accused him of using the speaker’s position for personal political gain.

However, nominated MCA Grace Mwangi dismissed the impeachment motion, saying it does not serve the people of Kilifi but rather a select few with political motives.

“This motion is not in the interest of the people. It’s about settling political scores, and I will not support it,” she said.

 


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