“If the ruling favours us, we will begin immediately but if not, we will have to go back to the drawing board,” Musila explained/FILE
The chairman of the committee Senator David Musila (Kitui) told Capital FM News the verdict will determine commencement of the hearings.
“If the ruling favours us, we will begin immediately but if not, we will have to go back to the drawing board,” Musila explained.
The High Court is due to determine Tuesday if to overturn the decision by the Murang’a County Assembly to commence Iria’s impeachment.
The Senate which is party to the suit last week urged the court to restrain itself from interfering with its constitutional mandate, arguing that it will give Iria a fair hearing.
“The petitioner should move to court if he will be aggrieved by the Senate’s decision,” justice Onguto was told.
The court was told that the Senate already held a sitting during which the charges against Iria were read out by the Speaker.
Consequently, a motion to impeach him was adopted and the special committee headed by Musila established to investigate his proposed removal from office.
“The committee has adopted rules of procedure to be used during the investigation and served invitations to the Governor requiring him to appear in person.”
READ: Senators vow fairness as they take up Iria ouster
The Musila committee is due to report to the Senate within 10 days.
The County Assembly of Murang’a on the other hand argues the matter was already out of its “hands” as it has already submitted the Motion to have Iria impeached to the Senate.
Iria has contested the decision by the assembly to begin his impeachment, claiming it is unconstitutional as he was not given an opportunity to defend himself.
Murang’a MCAs have accused Iria of misusing cash and failing to manage the county’s debt.
Governor Iria was impeached after 34 out of 49 MCAs voted for his removal for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.
MCA Mary Waithera alleged lack of accountability in the management and use of county resources, exemplified by an unsustainable debt of Sh2.5 billion.
The MCA has also accused the Executive of spending Sh247 million on advertising against the assembly’s recommendation of Sh7 million.
Governor Iria is blamed for borrowing Sh200 million from a bank without guarantee from the National Treasury.
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