Leaders pressure Governor Nyoro to name female deputy
Judge John Onyiego (left) swears in James Nyoro as Kiambu governor in Kiambu Town on January 31, 2020. PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Mr Nyoro was sworn on Friday by High Court Judge John Onyiego at the county headquarters.
The swearing-in was skipped by Kiambu lawmakers affiliated to Tangatanga group that is allied to Deputy President William Ruto.
Mr Kamanda vowed to ensure that no gathering that seeks to abuse the President takes place in Kiambu County.
Soon after James Nyoro took the oath of office as the new Kiambu governor on Friday, leaders started to pile pressure on him to nominate a female deputy.
County Assembly Speaker Stephen Ndichu said he had talked to the governor over same and he responded in affirmative.
While congratulating ward reps for doing their oversight role, Mr Ndichu asked Governor Nyoro to consider nominating a female deputy governor.
FEMALE DEPUTY
“The position of the deputy governor is now vacant and it is open to anybody, I have talked to the governor and he has told me that he has no problem nominating a lady,” said Mr Ndichu.
Mr Nyoro had been serving in the acting capacity as Kiambu governor after his former boss Ferdinand Waititu was suspended by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) court over a corruption case and later impeached by Members of the County Assembly and Senate.
Mr Nyoro was sworn on Friday by High Court Judge John Onyiego at the county headquarters in an event skipped by Kiambu lawmakers affiliated to Tangatanga group that is allied to Deputy President William Ruto. The exercise failed to take place on Thursday after Justice Onyiego cited a legal hitch.
The law requires publication and notification of the swearing-in ceremony in the Kenya and the county Gazette stating the date, time and venue.
Some local leaders attended the ceremony but later excused themselves and left.
UNIFY KENYANS
Nominated MP Maina Kamanda accused Kiambu leaders who did not attend Mr Nyoro’s swearing-in of sabotaging President Uhuru Kenyatta’s bid to unify Kenyans.
Mr Kamanda vowed to ensure that no gathering that seeks to abuse the President takes place in Kiambu County.
Former Dagoretti South MP Dennis Waweru said the impeachment of Mr Waititu came as a result of the handshake between President Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga. He said this in reference to Orange Democratic Movement senators who voted for Mr Waititu’s impeachment on Wednesday.
“Kiambu Members of County Assembly have set the standards and liberated Kiambu people from thievery,” Mr Waweru said.
Kiambu Women Rep Gathoni Wamuchomba said it was time for service delivery after the ouster of Mr Waititu. She described Mr Waititu’s impeachment as a relief to Kiambu voters.
DELIVER SERVICES
Mr Nyoro said he had outlined his agenda for Kiambu people with priorities being good road network, agriculture, and healthcare. The governor said was time to deliver services to the people of Kiambu, recover the lost time and promote economic empowerment.
Mr Nyoro promised to constitute a Kiambu Advisory Council board to guide the executive on investments and partnerships to accelerate growth and development in the county.
He also promised to set up a Public Service Board to employ health workers.
“It is time for inclusivity, deliver services to our people, recover the lost time and restore Kiambu’s former glory,” the governor said.
He added: “Part of my agenda is establish a Kiambu Advisory Council that will comprise eminent persons who will be advising us on investment opportunities. I will also establish a Public Service Board so that we can employ health officers in our hospitals.”
