The Senate has resolved to try Nyamira Governor Amos Njaribo through a plenary session after rejecting a proposal by the House Business Committee to establish an 11-member special committee to hear the impeachment charges against him.
In a vote taken on Thursday, November 27, 2025, senators voted 34 in favor of conducting the trial on the floor of the House, with 15 supporting the committee route and three abstentions.
The decision means that all 67 senators will participate in hearing the 13 charges leveled against Njaribo by the Nyamira County Assembly in a special sitting on October 17, 2025.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced the outcome following a debate that lasted two hours and featured passionate arguments from both sides.
Majority Leader Kimani Wamatangi, who sponsored the motion for plenary trial, argued that the gravity of the allegations warranted the full participation of all senators. "Impeachment is not a routine matter; it is the Senate's constitutional duty to safeguard devolution while upholding the highest standards of accountability," Wamatangi said. "A plenary sitting ensures transparency, allows every senator to contribute their wisdom, and prevents perceptions of a closed-door process that could undermine public trust."
Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo, who supported the committee approach, countered that an 11-member panel would be more efficient and allow for focused evidence presentation. "We risk turning this into a circus if all 67 of us grill witnesses for days," Odhiambo said. "The committee would handle technicalities, report back, and the full Senate votes on removal or retention. Efficiency does not mean secrecy."
The charges against Nyaribo, 51, include gross misconduct, abuse of office, and violation of the Constitution, stemming from allegations of irregular land deals, misuse of county funds, and failure to implement assembly resolutions. The county assembly voted 24-0 to impeach him on October 17, with the speaker forwarding the resolution to the Senate within 48 hours as required by law.
Nyaribo, who won the gubernatorial seat in 2022 on a UDA ticket with 52 percent of the vote, has denied all charges and accused the assembly of political vendetta. "This is a witch hunt by assembly members I refused to enrich with county contracts," Nyaribo said in a statement from his Nyamira home on October 20. "The people of Nyamira know my record—Sh5 billion in roads, Sh2 billion in water projects. The Senate will see through the lies."
The plenary trial, expected to commence on December 10, 2025, will follow procedures outlined in the Standing Orders. Nyaribo will have 14 days to respond to the charges, followed by 21 days for the assembly to present its case through witnesses and documents. Senators will then deliberate and vote by secret ballot, with a two-thirds majority (45 votes) required for removal from office.
Senate Majority Whip Titus Njoroge welcomed the decision, saying it upholds the constitutional process. "Plenary trial ensures every senator's voice is heard and every allegation is thoroughly examined," Njoroge said. "Nyamira deserves justice, not haste."
Minority Chief Whip Daniel Maanzo expressed disappointment but pledged cooperation. "We respect the House's decision, but we hope the trial will be expeditious and fair," Maanzo said. "Governors are not above the law, but neither should they be below due process."
Legal experts anticipate a trial lasting 30-45 days, with costs estimated at Sh50 million for witness travel, security, and logistics. The Senate has allocated Sh120 million in its 2025/26 budget for impeachment proceedings.
Nyamira County, with 1.1 million residents, has been without effective leadership since Nyaribo's impeachment. Deputy Governor Evans Nyamboka has been acting governor, but assembly standoffs have stalled major projects.
County residents expressed mixed reactions. "Njaribo built the Sh3 billion Wote-Mutomo road; if the Senate clears him, we move on," said farmer John Mutua from Mbitini ward. "If guilty, let him face the music—governance must be clean."
The trial will be the Senate's second impeachment hearing this year, following the successful removal of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in August over corruption charges.
