Nyeri Governor Gachagua discharged from UK hospital

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua. Five aides of the Governor have quit as the county government struggles to retain personnel it had hired to deliver on its mandate. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  JAMES NGUNJIRI

What you need to know:

  • Deputy Governor Samuel Wamathai has been the acting governor for two and a half months.
  • Mr Wamathai’s message came a week after an official statement on Mr Gachagua’s health was tabled in the county assembly.
  • The assembly was also assured of frequent updates on the matter.
  • Last week, Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe also said he had visited Mr Gachagua and his condition was improving.

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua has been discharged from hospital in United Kingdom and will be back in the country in the next 10 days.

“After daily prayers, Nyeri Governor has been discharged from hospital and will be in Nyeri in the next 10 days,” Deputy Governor Samuel Wamathai said on Monday.

Speaking at Green Hills Hotel in Nyeri Town during the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Nyeri County government and Kenya School of Government, Mr Wamathai said that governor’s seat is very challenging and stressful.

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He said he has been the acting governor for only two and a half months and he can attest that the governor’s seat is very hot.

“I am looking forward to having the governor back in the county to continue with his work,” said Mr Wamathai.

REVENUE ACT OPPOSED

Earlier, the deputy governor was heckled by demonstrators who were protesting against the county’s Revenue Administration Act, 2014.

Residents have raised concerns over increased charges of running their businesses and skyrocketing land rates as a result of the Act.

They are calling upon the county government to halt the implementation of the Act and instead hold consultative meetings with all stakeholders to discuss the revenue Act afresh.

Mr Wamathai’s message came a week after an official statement on Mr Gachagua’s health was tabled in the county assembly.

The county assembly members (MCAs) had been assured that everything was in order and all activities and programmes of the county government were going on as scheduled, with Mr Wamathai taking the leadership mantle in the absence of Mr Gachagua.

The assembly was also assured of frequent updates on the matter.

MUTAHI KAGWE VISIT

Last week, Nyeri Senator Mutahi Kagwe also said he had visited Mr Gachagua and his condition was improving.

On his Facebook post last week on Tuesday, Mr Kagwe had said that he had visited the governor in hospital.

"I ask for your prayers as I join the deputy governor and all the other elected officials in filling this temporary void.

“We need to ensure that Nyeri moves forward and that all development projects are completed in a timely manner.

“The visit, which I did in my personal capacity, gave me an opportunity to discuss county matters with him and, thankfully, be able to share the good news that he is progressing very well and that he will be re-joining as soon as his treatment is complete," said Mr Kagwe

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