Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua could survive impeachment after 31 members of the county assembly (MCAs) opted out and travelled to Tanzania.
The impeachment motion which is scheduled to be debated on Wednesday is likely to flop as the assembly has 59 MCAs and a motion to oust the governor requires a two-thirds majority to sail through.
The MCAs flew out over the weekend and are reportedly staying at a Dar es Salaam hotel until after the impeachment motion is debated.
According to Deputy Speaker Nathanael Nganga, who is not among those who travelled to Dar, the MCAs were paid Sh500,000 each for sustenance and each was given a ticket worth Sh150,000, amounting to Sh650,000.
Dr Mutua on Tuesday however went personal and responded through a text message: “I do not comment on frivolous propaganda. You should know better. Where did you get the figure and claims? Tell me so and so said and it shows here etc? Evidence!” he wrote.
"I cannot respond to 'there are claims' etc. It seems you want to elicit a response to support a story you are already doing. I am sending this to your editors. It would be good to discuss with them,” he addedas quoted by Nation.
According to Mr Nganga a total of Sh20 million was used for the trip whose mission was unspecified,
Mr Nganga, however, maintained that the remaining 28 MCAs would proceed with the ouster Motion.
“The remaining 28 of us will prosecute the motion tomorrow because the issues involved are incriminating,” said Mr Nganga.
He said the MCAs would have their invitation letters approved by both the ministries of Devolution and Foreign Affairs in Nairobi, had they been on official duty in Tanzania, adding that this was not done.
He asked The EACC to investigate them because a local travel agency paid for the travel.
Mbiuni Ward Rep Thomas Kasoa, who is also the minority leader, on Tuesday said it does not make sense for them to go ahead and debate the matter as they do not have the required quorum.
“The timing is wrong. If they feel they have no confidence in Governor Mutua and have the backing of the people, they should let him be voted out in the next elections,” Mr Kasoa told Nation.co.ke, adding that the assembly would be dissolved in April in readiness for the elections.