A troubling trend has emerged in several county governments across the country since the advent of devolution. Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) are increasingly using impeachment as a political weapon to threaten, intimidate or blackmail governors rather than for accountability purpose. What should be a last resort measure for serious violations of the law has become, in some counties, a bargaining chip in personal or factional battles. The recent events in Nyamira County and Kericho where the governors were impeached by the county assembly only for the Senate to overturn the decision due to faulty procedure have once again exposed the cracks in our devolved system.
While the Constitution gives MCAs the power to impeach governors, this power was never meant to be exercised casually or out of political revenge. Many impeachments attempt across the country in some counties it has hit three or four failed attempts have collapsed because the assemblies did not follow due process. This alone should worry us. It suggests that some MCAs either do not understand the law they are meant to uphold or simply refuse to follow it when their interests are at stake.
The main problem is that many MCAs misunderstand their role within the architecture of devolution. They see themselves as bosses who must command the governor, when in reality, they are partners and more importantly, representatives of the people tasked with enabling county governments to function effectively. Oversight does not mean harassment. Accountability does not mean intimidation. And constitutional authority does not give anyone the right to misuse impeachment for personal gain.
Devolution was meant to bring services closer to the people and not to turn county assemblies into political theatres where leaders play power games at the expense of development. When MCAs spend months plotting impeachment motions instead of passing budgets, reviewing policies, checking whether hospitals have drugs and county development agendas are implemented, who suffers? The wananchi who elected them.
If an MCA uses impeachment to settle grudges or push personal interests results to abuse of office. This is why I strongly believe MCAs need serious and continuous civic and leadership education. Many entered office without proper grounding in constitutional law, separation of powers, conflict resolution or governance ethics. The result is predictable constant fights between assemblies and governors, stalled development projects, politicized budgets and misuse of legal tools.
Educating MCAs on theirs roles and mandate in ensuring service delivery is an investment in better governance. If MCAs fully understood their role, we would see fewer politically motivated impeachment motions and more constructive engagement aimed at improving service delivery. We would see assemblies that interrogate bills intelligently, follow the law diligently and hold governors accountable with integrity.
When some MCAs consistently misuse their authority, disrupt county operations and fail to act in the public interest? What happens when oversight becomes extortion and accountability becomes intimidation? The solution should be straightforward and if a county assembly fails in its role, the entire house should be dissolved and fresh elections held.
Let the people choose leaders who understand that their job is not to wage political battles but to make the county work. A dysfunctional assembly is just as dangerous as a corrupt governor. Both can stall development, misuse resources and betray public trust.
Article 192 of the Constitution already provides for suspension of a county government in extreme circumstances. Perhaps it is time to start thinking seriously about applying similar standards to assemblies that repeatedly abuse their constitutional mandate.
Devolution can only succeed if all players understand their roles and respect the law. Governors must deliver services while MCAs must offer responsible oversight and citizens must demand accountability from both sides. When any of these fail, the entire system collapses.
