Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua fights back, dares reps to oust him

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua has told off ward reps plotting to impeach.

During the Masujaa Day celebrations, the county chief also attacked Speaker David Mugo for “inciting the MCAs against him”.

Only 15 out of 47 ward reps, a majority of them nominated, attended the function at Dedan Kimathi Stadium in Nyeri.

“The speaker is supposed to be neutral to conduct the affairs of the House properly, but not behaving as if he is a politician,” said the governor.

Mr Gachagua told Mr Mugo to declare publicly if he is interested in the governor’s or senator’s seat instead of inciting ward representatives.

The Speaker and the assembly’s Majority Leader Jesse Kamuri were not at the function.

At one point the governor ordered Finance and Budgetary Committee Chairman Duncan Gituanja to introduce the MCAs who were present.

He told Mr Gachagua not be worried and assured him that they are behind him.

SUPPORTED GACHAGUA

“We are behind you. Those who are plotting to impeach you are less than 10,” he said.

MCAs want to impeach Mr Gachagua for alleged abuse of office and poor performance.

Senator Mutahi Kagwe urged leaders to put the interests of the electorate first, before scheming to remove the governor.

He defended freedom of the media, saying governments must be scrutinised.

“We want the media to be given that freedom to oversight the county and national government reasonably,” said Mr Kagwe.

A fortnight ago, Nyeri County Assembly banned Nation Media Group from covering its proceedings and committee meetings.

Elsewhere, at Chaka trading centre and Naromoru Town in Kieni East Sub-County, where parallel Mashujaa Day celebrations were held, some MCAs were blocked from addressing the public.

Mr Amos Knayai (Gakawa Ward), Marete Rinyiru (Naromoru) in Naromoru Town, Baragu Mutahi (Kijango) and Stephen Munuhe (Thegu River) in Chaka were spectators as deputy county commissioners read the President’s speech.

“Even if the governor denies us a chance to talk to our people we will still proceed with the impeachment plan,” said Mr Rinyiru.

KABOGO VS WAMATANGI

In Kiambu, the differences between Governor William Kabogo and Senator Paul Kimani Wamatangi played out during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Ndumberi “after protocol was breached”.

Deputy County Commissioner Norbert Komora, who was in-charge of the programme, invited the senator after the county Speaker Gathii Irungu, who handed over to County Commissioner Alex Nkoyo, then Deputy Governor Gerald Githinji who invited the governor to give his address.

Mr Wamatangi felt belittled and disrespected by Mr Komora and scoffed at him.

The lawmaker said leaders elected to represent the county are the governor, senator and woman representatives.

RESPECT PROTOCOL

He called for respect of protocol.

Mr Wamatangi said it was unacceptable for the representative of the national government, where protocols are highly regarded, to breach them.

But Mr Kabogo said the deputy governors are part of the protocol and are more senior than a senator.

“Just as a reminder, during the 2013 elections there were six elective posts. The second post after the Presidency was for the governor and his deputy, then the senator.

“We should respect each other in our positions,” Mr Kabogo said.

It is not the first time that the two leaders are holding different positions over various county issues.

The senator has persistently turned up the heat on Governor Kabogo accountability issues.