MCAs adamant on ousting Martin Wambora again

Embu Governor Martin Wambora celebrates after his reinstatement on April 16, 2014. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI |

What you need to know:

  • Mr Wambora has moved to mend fences with the leaders and has already contacted several of them in a bid to plead with the unhappy MCAs to shelve the impeachment move
  • County Assembly Speaker Kariuki Mate, who together with clerk Jim Kauma, were cited for contempt of court confirmed that the Motion was ready

The reinstatement of Embu Governor Martin Wambora has unsettled Members of the County Assembly, with some maintaining they would commence debate to impeach him again.

About 15 MCAs signed a notice of the Motion to impeach him the same day Mr Wambora bounced back after a three-judge Bench sitting in Kerugoya ruled that the initial process by the County Assembly was illegally carried out since there was a court order barring it.

But Mr Wambora said that there is no time to waste and all leaders should join hands for a better Embu.

Embu County Assembly Deputy Speaker Ibrahim Swaleh, who filed the notice, said his colleagues were concerned that the court did not address issues they had raised when he moved the Motion.

“The court has not cleared Mr Wambora on the issues that we had raised. The issues touched on corruption and integrity. It is these issues that we want dealt with. The new impeachment process that will commence next week will consider the faults identified by the court,” he said.

Mr Wambora has moved to mend fences with the leaders and has already contacted several of them in a bid to plead with the unhappy MCAs to shelve the impeachment move.

Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti said he was in touch with Mr Wambora and had commenced consultations with county leaders. He, however, was hesitant to divulge the direction the talks were heading.

Mr Kivuti abstained from voting when the process was taken to the Senate and together with Runyenjes MP Cecilly Mbarire, they had initially kicked off debate to replace Deputy Governor Dorothy Nditi, who had taken over from Mr Wambora. “We have been in touch with Mr Wambora. We are talking to many people,” said Mr Kivuti without expounding.

County Assembly Speaker Kariuki Mate, who together with clerk Jim Kauma, were cited for contempt of court confirmed that the Motion was ready and would start after seven days lapse. (READ: Wambora scoffs at new plan to fire him)

WILL PURSUE MOTION

Confirming that he has also been in touch with Mr Wambora, the Speaker, however, said the MCAs were adamant that they will pursue the Motion.

“I’m supposed to within 48 hours of filing of the notice of a Motion approve it or give reasons why I can’t approve it. The 22 MCAs who passed the initial Motion are in total support. They are saying that the issues that caused the initial action have not been addressed by the court,” said Mr Mate in a telephone interview.

“The issues revolve around integrity. Sitting together and having tea is like saying it is okay. That the tenders were not questionable, the maize germinated, the Auditor General’s report no longer exists. The MCAs have been assuring me that they are rock solid and can’t be divided. Conviction is like religion. Not even the President can divide them.” (READ: Senator criticises Wambora ruling)

He said the MCAs were incensed by return of County Secretary Margaret Lorna Kariuki who they had recommended for her sacking prior to the now annulled impeachment process.

Mr Mate alleged that Ms Kariuki has already kicked a storm after MCAs were informed that they would be investigated for allegedly employing staff without advertising for the positions.

There have been allegations that some of Mr Wambora’s supporters were aware of a positive court outcome and started celebrating before the court ruling. County Assembly Majority leader Andrew Musakwa claimed that Mr Wambora’s supporters were in a celebration mood as early as 10 days before the ruling.

Mr Swaleh wondered if the supporters were privy to the judges’ verdict. But Mr Wambora’s political adviser Joshua Kanake rubbished the claims saying his team had been equally anxious until the entire judgement was delivered.

He dismissed the allegations saying the MCAs were only acting out of impulse after the loss and expressed hope that they would soon work harmoniously.

“It is not true that we knew the outcome. We didn’t have a clue of what was to happen. We were optimistic just the same way they were hopeful. We had a plan A and a plan B,” said Mr Kanake.

He said that in the event Mr Wambora lost the case, they would have explored on whether to pursue re-election or support Ms Nditi. Mr Kanake said they had sent emissaries to talk to those opposed to Mr Wambora.

Calls for the shelving of the fresh impeachment Motion have been supported by eight MCAs, Maendeleo ya Wanawake officials, Embu Council of Elders Nyangi Ndiiriri and their Mbeere counterparts Ngome.