Nyeri MCAs on Sh10m Coast trip to plot Governor Gachagua’s impeachment

Members of the Nyeri County Assembly have taken a Sh10 million trip to the Coast to plot how to impeach Governor Nderitu Gachagua.

The 47 ward reps left Sunday morning for the 10-day trip.

Reacting on this latest development, Governor Gachagua said he would not be drawn into their affairs.

“We will continue with our plans and development agenda,” he reacted.

According to sources at the assembly, the ward reps are accusing Mr Gachagua of using county funds to buy seeds for farmers and registering 3,000 elderly people with the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) without the consent of the MCAs.

The reps also claim county executives have misused money, and want them sent home as well.

An MCA, who cannot be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the trip was earlier meant to ensure the leaders discussed the budget and the annual development plan.

“They have included the impeachment of the governor on the agenda. This was done in the last four days but it is a split House, so anything can happen,” said the ward rep, who attended the meetings.

Four other MCAs who spoke to the Nation confirmed the impeachment plans.

Governor Gachagua was elected on a Grand National Union (GNU) party ticket in 2013.

However, most of the ward reps contested on a TNA platform but both parties now belong to JAP.

Mr Gachagua is leading a team overseeing the merger of all parties under JAP.

Asked whether his party wanted to impeach the governor, Leader of Majority Jesse Kamuri said MCAs were not talking to journalists.

“We have severed links with the media, especially the Nation,” said Mr Kamuri.

NATION JOURNALISTS EJECTED

Last week, MCAs ejected Nation journalists from the gallery, saying they were inciting the public against them and misreporting.

They also banned the Nation Media Group from covering the assembly.

This was after the media house reported that the reps would receive Sh6 million each for development projects in their wards.

The assembly also set aside Sh15 million to be used for public participation.

But Sunday, Speaker David Mugo denied reports that the governor’s impeachment would be part of the agenda.

“We may just spend only Sh4.5 million, which is half of the budget, and we may not stay for that long. As far as I know, the main agenda is the budget,” he told the Nation.

The money for the trip also covers per diem, sitting allowances and accommodation.

The trip comes at a time the county government is grappling with unpaid debts and salary delays.

Additional reporting by Muchiri Gitonga