Murang’a MCAs deny using impeachment plan to blackmail Governor Wa Iria

Murang’a MCAs have denied using impeachment threats against the governor to blackmail him.

The ward representatives have been accused of trying to arm-twist Governor Mwangi Wa Iria to yield to their demands.

Majority leader Peter Kihungi said Monday that the blackmail claims were meant to divert public attention from the “much-talked about Motion to impeach the governor”.

He added: “We are not in any way trying to destabilise county operations or even trying to engage in extortion with intention to withdraw the Motion on the impeachment of governor.”

The county assembly, he said, had “all the relevant documents” to support their Motion.

“We are not ashamed to front the Motion. We had exhausted all the avenues to reach the governor, whom we wanted to come clean on the contentious issues but he did not,” he said.

SITTING ALLOWANCE

He denied claims that the impeachment bid was meant to coerce the governor into giving the MCAs sitting allowances amounting to Sh130 million.

Last week, county assembly speaker Nduati Kariuki allowed a notice of the impeachment Motion by nominated member Mary Waithera.

Mr Kihungi Monday said they had the blessings of Murang’a residents aggrieved by mismanagement of county funds.

“We know about a team that is spreading the rumours that we are extorting the executive, but the governor needs to know that we won’t be intimidated,” he said.

Gitugi MCA Duncan Njuguna said the blackmail claims were meant to portray them in bad light.

They accused the governor of gross violation of the Constitution, the Public Procurement and Disposal Act and the Public Finance Management Act.

Some Murang’a residents have started collecting signatures, calling for dissolution of the county government over persistent wrangles between the executive and the county assembly.