Tharaka residents launch bid to remove deputy speaker

Tharaka-Nithi County residents have initiated a petition to impeach county assembly Deputy Speaker Paul Mwabu for alleged abuse of office.

Mr Mwabu, who is the county assembly member (MCA) for Marimanti Ward, is accused of using the deputy Speaker’s position to intimidate other leaders by sponsoring motions for their removal with no valid reasons.

Led by Bunge la Mwananchi, a community lobby group, residents started signing petition papers Friday after a meeting held in Marimanti town.

Addressing journalists, Bunge la Mwananchi chairman Daniel Karere said the MCA had caused disunity among assembly members and the executive by engaging in political witch-hunts.

He also claimed the impeachment motions by the MCA targeted leaders from the Tharaka region.

“Mr Mwabu started plotting to impeach Governor Samuel Ragwa, he again targeted the health executive, Magdalene Njeru, and recently the deputy governor, Mati Murithi. He has never sponsored any development motion in the assembly,” said Mr Karere.

CLAIMS DISMISSED

He said six hundred people have already signed the petition papers.

Gatunga Ward representative Muthengi Mubiu said he would guide the public in presenting the petition to the assembly.

“We as the assembly members are also fed up with the behaviour of the deputy Speaker because he always comes up with impeachment motions which either fail for lack of facts or he withdraws,” said Mr Mubiu.

Mr Mwabu dismissed the allegations against him and accused politicians of using the public to protect themselves.

He claimed that his opponents are trying to silence him from agitating for transparency and accountability in use of public funds.

“I will not remain silent when public funds are being misused by few selfish leaders,” said the deputy Speaker.