Uhuru Sends Petition for Dissolution of Taita Taveta County Gov’t to IEBC

President Kenyatta on Wednesday handed over the petition to dissolve Taita Taveta County Government to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Kenyatta sent the petition to the electoral commission to verify the signatures of voters supporting the petition initiated by Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja.

Governor Samboja wants the county government dissolved over what he termed as harassment from the Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).

IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati confirmed he formally received the petition and the signatures will be verified over the next five days.

Kennedy Kihara, the Principal Administrative Secretary in the office of the President said the petition will be successful if 10 percent of 150,000 registered voters in Taita Taveta County have signed it.

Samboja began collecting the signatures in July after he disagreed with the MCAs on the Sh5.6 billion budget for the 2019/20 financial year and refused to approve budget estimates.

On October 13th, MCAs went ahead to impeach Governor Samboja on the grounds of gross misconduct, but he survived after Senators found the allegations against him insufficient.

If IEBC verifies the signatures, the president will within 14 days submit a report to suspend the county to the apex intergovernmental body.

Upon approval by the body, the President shall appoint a commission to inquire into the matter and approved by the senate.

The report from the commission shall be forwarded to the President who will send it to the speaker of the Senate who initiates the motion of suspension of the county government.

If dissolved, Taita Taveta residents will return to the ballot to elect their Governor and Ward Representatives.