Kiambu governor and local legislators wage war of words

What began as political differences between Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and several MPs from the county — which is home to President Uhuru Kenyatta — has degenerated into a bare-knuckle war of words. 

Tension has reached fever pitch with each side taking every opportunity to hurl salvos at the other in a duel that has often turned dirty, as exhibited by the contemptuous manner in which they treat one another in public.

Leading the onslaught against Mr Kabogo are legislators Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika Town), Kimani Ichung’wah (Kikuyu) and Munyua Waititu (Juja) who accuse the county boss of arrogance and disrespect towards fellow elected leaders. 

At a recent meeting in Thika attended by Deputy President William Ruto, the MPs levelled accusations against the governor, including staging a “one-man-show” type of leadership. The governor, however, didn’t attend the meeting organised by his political arch-rival, Ms Ng’ang’a. 

Mr Ichung’wah stoked controversy when he accused the governor of failing to move the county head office from Thika to Kiambu town within six months as he had promised. 

Ms Ng’ang’a and Mr Waititu have often claimed Mr Kabogo disrespects other elected leaders and the people of Kiambu in general by regularly ignoring their input in important decisions and processes. 

But speaking during Jamhuri Day celebrations at Kirigiti Stadium, the governor took the opportunity to bash his critics in very derogative language. 

“I do not respond to uncircumcised girls,” Mr Kabogo blurted out in Kikuyu in an apparent reference to Ms Ng’ang’a’s attack on his style of leadership. 

The governor later told the Sunday Nation that he does not have the time for political battles and wants the legislators to give him his space.

DISRESPECTS WOMENFOLK

“I am busy discharging my duties to the people of Kiambu and I think we should not waste too much time on unhelpful political rhetoric,” said Mr Kabogo. 

But Ms Ng’ang’a and Nairobi County MP Rachael Shebesh took issue with Mr Kabogo’s use of the words “uncircumcised girls” which they said were not only abusive but also a show of a lack of respect for women.

“Like the biblical Esther, women leaders cannot not be intimidated by their male counterparts, and I will continue to speak out. I will not be cowed by insults and will champion the rights of my constituents, including those of women and the girl-child,” Ms Ng’ang’a said. 

Ms Shebesh, referring to an earlier altercation between her and Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, said: “Governor Kidero’s slap has turned out to be my Jubilee blessing. It has made me stronger. The insults hurled at my sister Alice have also turned her into a champion.”  

Separately, several Kiambu County Assembly Members have defended the governor for failing to return the county headquarters to Kiambu town. 

MCAs Nelson Munga (Ndeiya) and Lawrence Mwaura (Ting’ang’a) told MPs to keep off the affairs of the county government. “We demand the respect due to us. The issue of the county headquarters falls within the mandate of members of the county assembly,” they said.