Governor seeks to mend fences with county assembly members

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagu has reached out to the County Assembly and called for regular meetings with the executive.

In his first state of the county address to the Assembly, the governor yesterday said devolution is founded on cooperation.

Striking a conciliatory tone with the county assembly, which has not been very supportive of him since his election, Governor Gachagua said he appreciated the role played by the County Assembly, particularly the oversight role.

REMINDED LEADERS

“In this regard, we will be formally proposing to the assembly a series of periodic consultative meetings with the executive,” he said.

The governor said it was inevitable for people living and working together to have differences but reminded the leaders of their obligation to service the residents.

“Where we have come from, where we are and where we are going depends on our vigilance and steadfast commitment to what we collectively want and must achieve,” he told the assembly.

Speaker David Mugo had challenged the governor on the issue of consultation, saying there must be cooperation between the county assembly and executive.

“We are in the same ship. We cannot allow the ship to sink because all of us will drown,” he warned.

Governor Gachagua outlined his achievements in the past year in office and his roadmap for the future.

INVESTORS

He said he was reaching out to investors and assured farmers they would soon start reaping the fruits of his efforts as he had signed agreements with business people in the United States who would buy coffee directly from them.

On health care, the governor said he had introduced a health management information system.

An additional eight ambulances had been acquired and tenders awarded to install 24 high mast lights at trading centres.

The governor said 248 km of road had been graded and 146 km gravelled while a further 140 km were under routine maintenance.

He said 30 per cent of public works tenders were reserved for women, the youth and disabled persons.

He also promised to give squatters in former colonial villages title deeds.

Majority leader Anthony Kibuu said the governor’s speech was short on substance as he did not mention coffee payment to the farmers, how much and when they will be paid.

“It is high time he fulfilled the promise to pay farmers at least Sh100 a kilo that he promised them. He should also have mentioned about creating a cancer unit”, said Mr Kibuu.

He gave the governor a score of 20 per cent on improvement of infrastructure and urged him to continue doing so.

The state of the county address was the first. He is required by law to deliver an annual statement.