Senators, governors in bid to ‘save’ Makueni

Senators and governors are closing ranks in a make-or-break move to save Makueni county government as prospects of suspension appear real.

Both the Council of Governors and the Senate Committee on Devolution will hold separate meetings with the warring factions.

While the Council of Governors convenes tomorrow in a special sitting they hope will put an end to wrangles between Governor Kivutha Kibwana and the County Assembly, the Senate team will visit the county on Tuesday.

The County Assemblies Forum (CAF) also said on Saturday it had set up a mediation team which will be in Makueni from Monday.

CAF secretary general Albert Kochei said it was early to talk of suspending the county.

“Any calls to dissolve or suspend the county will deny residents fruits of devolution,” he said.

Governor Kibwana and County Assembly Speaker Stephen Ngelu have fallen out, leading to conflicts that culminated in a gun drama last week.

Senator Hassan Omar, a member of the committee, told the Sunday Nation they are making the trip to Makueni to assess the situation before making any decision.

“We are going there with an open mind, to fact find. It is after this that we can make recommendations backed by law,” he said.

If convinced that things have gotten out of hand, they could recommend the suspension of the county government.

The Council of Governors chaired by Isaac Ruto said it will discuss the possibility of recommending suspension of Makueni government should its leaders fail to work together.

But Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior has said the council has no powers to suspend the county.

“It is the Senate and the President that have a role here. But again, I do not see an exceptional circumstance in Makueni that would warrant suspension,” he said.

But even in the face of such unprecedented effort by the county chiefs and the Senate,  Prof Kibwana is showing no signs of letup.

In an interview with the Sunday Nation, he said that the county government will come tumbling down if the assembly insists on fighting him.

GOVERNORS' STAND

Comparing his case to that of Samson — a legendary warrior who helped Israelites to defeat their perennial foes the Philistines — he said that unseating him would bring down the entire county government.

“Samson had a lot of strength but when he disclosed the source of his power to Delilah, he lost it. Later on when he was about to die, he asked God to give him energy with which he brought down the temple.”

“We will bring down the entire government on behalf of the people so election can be held. That means all of us in the executive and the assembly will go home,” he said.

Prof Kibwana said that in the event the county government is suspended, he will consult Makueni people before he decides to defend his seat.

“I will go and consult the citizens next week; if they say that they are tired and would want the entire government disbanded, we will advise the President to do so. I will ask them if they want me to defend the seat; if they say no, so be it,” he said.

The MCAs have accused the governor and the county executive committee of frustrating accountability.

“All the other leaders are working together except the governor. He is a lone ranger,” Speaker Ngelu said.