Jostling for power in the wake of Wambora’s baptism of fire
What you need to know:
- Mr Kivuti and Ms Mbarire called for an election after Mr Wambora’s first impeachment was upheld by the Senate despite the House suggesting that deputy governor Dorothy Nditi assume the seat.
- Mr Mate had said Ms Mbarire was welcome to vie for governor in 2017, saying she would make a better leader.
Embu Governor Martin Wambora has undergone a baptism of fire.
Since he took office in March last year, the former Runyenjes MP has been in court fighting for political survival.
Soon after his election, his closest opponent, Mr Kithinji Kiragu of APK lodged a petition that dragged on for months until his County Assembly impeached him on January 28. He was later re-instated by the High Court, but the Assembly impeached him again on April 29.
“Impeachment should have been the last option. We have lost precious time in the courts at the expense of development,” said Mr Wambora yesterday.
According to Runyenjes Ward representative Steve Simba, who was among the 10 out of 33 MCAs who stood by Mr Wambora, the ouster was guided by political supremacy battles.
Others who supported Mr Wambora during the bruising battle are County Women Representative Rose Mitaru and Manyatta MP John Muchiri.
At one time, Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire, who is said to be eyeing the governor’s seat, urged Mr Wambora to quit and seek fresh mandate. Ms Mbarire enjoys the support of Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti and Assembly Speaker Kariuki Mate, who is said to be positioning himself to be Ms Mbarire’s running mate in 2017.
THROUGH BACK DOOR
Mr Kivuti and Ms Mbarire called for an election after Mr Wambora’s first impeachment was upheld by the Senate despite the House suggesting that deputy governor Dorothy Nditi assume the seat.
At one point, Mr Wambora defiantly asked the leaders to stop attempting to get the seat “through the back door”.
However, Ms Mbarire has insisted that she is not interested in the governor’s seat, but only playing her oversight role.
“I have no interest at all in becoming the governor because I have a five-year contract with the people of Runyenjes — a role I’m very happy to continue playing. Governor Wambora’s claim that I want his seat is alarmist and dishonest. I urge him to stop panicking and focus on serving his county up to 2017,” she said last month.
Mr Mate had said Ms Mbarire was welcome to vie for governor in 2017, saying she would make a better leader.
It took the intervention of Deputy President William Ruto who, on August 2, admonished the county leaders and urged them to stop wrangling and work in harmony.
He said it was sad that the county had wasted most of the two years since the elections squabbling.
Mr Ruto asked the MCAs: “Are you the ones to teach other Kenyans how to impeach governors? Even if you don’t love someone, you should respect elected leaders since it is God who placed them there.”
Mr Wambora on Wednesday said he had forgiven and made peace with the MCAs who impeached him.
