By SPT and Our Correspondent
Worth Noting:
- In her application through lawyer Elias Mutuma, the Governor had asked the Committee to be allowed to file additional evidence, arguing that some of the witness statement in the bundle of evidence submitted to the Senate by the Meru County Assembly, contained some witness statement that were not part of the evidence the MCAs relied upon in impeaching the Governor at the County Assembly.
- The committee allowed the application and the Governor will submit five new videos, three exhibits and four supplementary affidavits all addressing the evidence submitted by the witnesses who were not part of the proceedings at the County Assembly.
A special Senate Committee hearing the Impeachment of Meru County governor started the proceedings yesterday.
The 11-member committee allowed an application by Governor Kawira Mwangaza which sought to introduce new evidence.
Senator Boni Khalwale, who is leading the team investigating the Governor, said the committee had allowed the application as it will help the cause of justice and that the request falls within the Senate’s role in exercising its oversight function.
“We allow the application because the relevant material and evidence will serve the interest of justice and fairness,” Senator Khalwale ruled at the start of the hearing in the Senate Chamber.
In her application through lawyer Elias Mutuma, the Governor had asked the Committee to be allowed to file additional evidence, arguing that some of the witness statement in the bundle of evidence submitted to the Senate by the Meru County Assembly, contained some witness statement that were not part of the evidence the MCAs relied upon in impeaching the Governor at the County Assembly.
The committee allowed the application and the Governor will submit five new videos, three exhibits and four supplementary affidavits all addressing the evidence submitted by the witnesses who were not part of the proceedings at the County Assembly.
Lawyer Muthomi Thiankolu, acting for the County Assembly had opposed the application arguing that it amounted to introducing new evidence through ambush, which he said was against the Senate rules of procedure on the trials.
Dr Thiankolu further argued that the application was a ploy by the Governor to frustrate the trial.
Senator Khalwale argued that allowing the new evidence will not prejudice the MCAs case but will serve the interest of justice.
The County Assembly has been given time to file the responses on the new evidence by the end of yesterday.
The County Assembly will also be allowed to cross examine the witness and rebut the new evidence.