Court Reinstates Wambora as Governor After Dismissing Petition
The political landscape in Embu County shifted sharply on Thursday after the Court of Appeal dismissed a petition challenging Governor Martin Wambora’s return to office, effectively reinstating him as the county boss pending the determination of a full appeal. The ruling temporarily halted months of uncertainty that had engulfed the county following a prolonged legal and political battle over the legitimacy of Wambora’s removal from office. Judges noted that the petitioners had failed to demonstrate sufficient grounds to keep the governor out of office while the case continued, giving Wambora a pathway back to the leadership seat he has fiercely fought to retain.
The dispute traces back to allegations brought against the governor by members of the Embu County Assembly, who accused him of violating procurement procedures and failing to exercise proper oversight in county operations. The assembly’s impeachment vote was later endorsed by the Senate, prompting Wambora to seek legal redress. Since then, the case has travelled through multiple courts, sparking national debate over the powers of county assemblies, the role of the Senate, and the constitutional limits of impeachment processes in Kenya’s devolved system. Thursday’s decision marks yet another chapter in a saga that has repeatedly tested the interpretation of devolution laws and the balance between political accountability and due process.
Reactions from Embu residents and national leaders were swift and sharply divided. Supporters of the governor celebrated the ruling as a victory for fairness and constitutionalism, arguing that the rapid impeachment process denied him a chance to properly defend himself. Critics, however, expressed concern that the reinstatement could embolden public officials facing serious accusations, and warned that the ruling might complicate service delivery if political tensions persist. Despite the mixed reactions, the decision has once again placed Wambora at the centre of Embu’s politics as county departments prepare to resume operations under his leadership.
As the substantive appeal proceeds, legal experts say the case could set an important precedent for how future impeachment hearings against governors are handled across Kenya. The Court of Appeal’s final judgment is expected to clarify the evidentiary threshold and procedural safeguards required when removing an elected county leader from office. For now, Embu County watches closely as Wambora steps back into office, with both supporters and opponents awaiting the next phase of a legal battle that continues to shape Kenya’s evolving system of devolved governance.