Intrigues in Wambora’s impeachment

Beleagured Embu Governor Martin Wambora has turned to court in a last attempt to stop the Senate from commencing impeachment proceedings after the County Assembly voted to have him out once again.

Details have emerged of the suspicions that shrouded and eventually scuttled Mr Wambora’s attempt to hold talks to appease the MCAs.

He had roped in Senator Lenny Kivuti, his erstwhile friend turned foe, together with the county religious leaders in a bid to reconcile with the MCAs who had resolved to vote to impeach him a second time.

Embu County Speaker Kariuki Mate said MCAs were incensed by reports that Mr Wambora had commissioned collection of signatures seeking to have the county government dissolved.

He also accused the religious leaders of bias since they had not sought to address his citation for contempt of court together with County Assembly Clerk Jim Kauma. “The Clerk of the Assembly and I also have a case in court but religious leaders have never invited us for prayers. We doubted their impartiality,” said Mr Mate.

But Bishop Cyrus Njiru of Revelation Church who attended the talks defended the religious leaders’ intentions saying they were not favouring any side.

“We are neutral and leaning towards no side. We are just concerned that the current scenario where the MCAs and the governor are engaged in a tussle over who is senior is delaying development. Embu is not the worst county in terms of corruption. The way things are heading, we face a bleak future because money allocated to us may be returned to the Treasury. It is sad that they are not willing to listen to us,” said the cleric.

Bishop Henry Kathii, who chaired the talks, said they had formed a committee to reach out to the MCAs to broker peace.

“The Church wants people to talk to one another. The king cannot rule without listening to the prophets. The issues raised are very important but should be handled by the various organs such as Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission set up to deal with graft,” said Bishop Kathii.

Embu Catholic Bishop Paul Kariuki said there was immense pressure from members of public to have the issues resolved amicably.

PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE

Mr Kivuti, who together with Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire held talks with the MCAs, said their initiative had not borne fruits.

He said the leaders were not out to bar MCAs from carrying out their oversight role, but were seeking peaceful co-existence.

Mr Kivuti is said to have abandoned the talks after a group of demonstrators accused him of engineering the MCAs move. “He came to me almost in tears after the group collecting signatures held a demonstration,” said Mr Mate.

However, the issue of Mr Kivuti’s role had been raised during the meeting with the religious leaders with Kagaari South MCA Robert Ireri, who is sympathetic to Mr Wambora, challenging him on why he was unable to convince APK MCAs to withdraw support for the motion.

“He is the APK deputy party leader and could have summoned the MCAs to support the governor. He had the powers but he didn’t exercise them,” said Mr Ireri.

He alleged that Mr Wambora was unable to control the County Assembly since there had been skewed nominations in favour of a certain region.

“Mbeere North has three elected MCAs and five nominated ones. Mbeere South has five elected MCAs and three nominated. In Embu side, Runyenjes has six elected and three nominated MCAs, while Manyatta received only two nomination slots despite having six elected MCAs,” said Mr Ireri.

But Mr Joshua Kanake, an aide to Mr Wambora, said his (Wambora’s) grudge with Mr Kivuti started as soon as he abandoned his bid to contest the Runyenjes seat on an APK ticket for the gubernatorial seat on a TNA ticket.

“He was in APK and the party was assured of winning the MP and governor’s seat. TNA trusted Ms Mbarire and National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi. Wambora joined TNA alone and his troops were not accommodated,” he said.

The official said Mr Wambora was even blocked from meeting President Uhuru Kenyatta in a bid to seek interventions when MCAs first hatched the impeachment plan.