MCAs begin process to kick out Machakos Deputy Governor Bernard Kiala

County Assembly Members allied to Governor Alfred Mutua have begun a process to kick out his deputy Bernard Kiala who has been embroiled in wrangles with his boss.

Yesterday, the MCAs issued a notice of a Motion to impeach the deputy governor over alleged abuse of office and gross misconduct. The Motion is spearheaded by Public Accounts Committee chairman Joseph Musau Kalunde.

Reading the notice at the assembly buildings, minority leader Thomas Mweu Kasoa, flanked by 45 MCAs out of the 59 who have already signed the document, said the Motion would be tabled at the assembly for discussion after expiry of seven days.

The speaker has constituted a special sub-committee comprising 11 members, six from the majority and five from the minority side, to hear the allegations levelled against the deputy governor and make a ruling on the matter.

The statement indicated that Kiala has on several occasions piled undue pressure on CECs, chief officers and other county staff to award government contracts to firms owned by his relatives and friends in which he has direct interests.

BACKSTABBING WAYS

The statement also said in part that the deputy governor on one occasion called the executive members for a meeting at the municipal chambers where he created the impression that the governor will soon be removed from office and hence they should be loyal to him for protection in future.

He is also accused of having failed to implement duties assigned to him by the governor in accordance with the law and of incompetence in running the public service, labour and ICT docket that has been assigned to him.

Kiala is also accused of not only openly attacking the county government but of associating with persons who are sworn antagonists of the administration he serves.

"He, for instance, continues to associate himself with Senator Johnston Muthama, who is on record as saying he will make sure governor Mutua is impeached," read the statement in part.

It further alleged that the deputy governor has grossly violated Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity by participating in corrupt tendencies through interfering with the procurement process and that he has an ongoing criminal fraud case against him in which he is charged with theft while serving at a local financial institution.

Efforts to reach Kiala for comment were fruitless as he was said to be in a meeting.