Vihiga Governor Wilber Otichilo has supported the High Court’s ruling that Governors who are charged in Court should step aside for the duration of the case. However, Otichilo has said their cases should be fast tracked to ensure other leaders don’t take advantage. Justice Mumbi Ngugi ruled that Governors should step aside once charged for a criminal offence, and their deputies should take over for the duration of the trial.
The ruling came at a moment when anti-graft bodies have intensified the war on corruption, with the latest County boss facing the pangs of justice being Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu. “It is prudent that you step aside,” said Otichilo, “But..being an elected leader by the people, the case should be able to be fast tracked quickly so that it’s concluded because the only risk…is that some of our detractors or competitors could use this window to keep you out,” he said on Monday.
He pointed out that Deputy Governors can also collude with the detractors given that it paves the way for the DG to ascend to power, “And yet he has not been elected, you actually chose him or her.”