Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja recorded yet another victory on Thursday after a court in Nairobi gave conservatory orders barring Senate from probing his impeachment.
After months of wrangles, MCAs impeached Samboja, accusing him of gross misconduct. He had started collecting signatures to have the county government disbanded.
On Wednesday, Senate appointed 11-member committee to look into the impeachment, with Deputy Speaker Kindiki Kithure saying the Senate had not been served by court order.
The governor had sued the assembly earlier in court, blocking county speaker from communicating with Senate about impeachment.
“Sub judice rule is not absolute to the Senate. I can confirm there is no injunction and even if it was, we shall have to determine whether to proceed in line with the law and standing orders,” Kindiki said.
But on Thursday, Justice Weldon Korir issued orders barring the Senate from discussing the matter, following an application by Samboja's legal team.
"If the Senate proceeds to discuss this matter it will be contemptuous of the orders given by this honourable court," Justice Korir said.
Governor Samboja sued Deputy Majority Leader Harris Keke as well as the county, the Senate and their respective Speakers.
He was accused of gross violation of the law, Mr Keke saying his gross misconduct — misappropriation of funds and failure to assent to the 2019/2020 budget — had led to underdevelopment in the county.
Mr Keke said the governor misled residents by collecting signatures in a bid to dissolve the county government over a budget stalemate.
The governor refused to assent to 2019/20 budget, accusing MCAs of pushing for Sh800 million for Ward Development Fund contrary to the law.