Political rivals blamed for bid to oust Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua

Political rivals are behind a bid to impeach Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua.

In an advertisement in local dailies on Friday, County Secretary Alice Wachira alleged that some members of the county assembly (MCAs) are working on a motion to remove the governor from office.

“It is clear that the rejection and mutilation of the budget and the intended impeachment have nothing to do with the performance of Governor Nderitu Gachagua but rather with political aspirations of forces that thrive in chaos and disorder,” said Ms Wachira.

Ms Wachira claimed the county government has learnt that several meetings have been held with the aim of disrupting services in Nyeri County for political gain.

She alleged that a plot is being hatched to paint Mr Gachagua as an incompetent leader.

She said the governor’s rivals orchestrated the “rejection and mutilation” of the budget.

The county government is arguing that the finance executive submitted the budget to the assembly as required in the Public Finance Management Act.

The assembly was to deliberate on the budget within 21 days and approve it with or without amendments.

“However, the County Assembly instead forwarded an entirely new budget without considering key policy areas, vote allocations and format of the submitted budget,” she said

Ms Wachira said the County Assembly Act contravened the Constitution.

“This triggered the current stalemate where the County Assembly surpassed the role of the Executive by amending and approving the budget estimates beyond its mandate.”

She urged MCAs to pass the budget to avoid a crisis in the county.