MCAs now deny plot to oust Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua

Senator Mutahi Kagwe (left), former Central Bank Governor Duncan Ndegwa (in a hat) and Governor Nderitu Gachagua (second right) join Mau Mau veterans in singing patriotic songs during the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Dedan Kimathi Kamukunji Grounds yesterday. (PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD)

Celebrations to mark Mashujaa Day were turned into a forum to show confidence in Governor Nderitu Gachagua’s leadership.

Amid rumours that the assembly was planning an impeachment motion against the governor, a section of MCAs dismissed as ‘rumours’ claims that the assembly was planning to oust Mr Gachagua.

Politics dominated the celebrations despite Speaker David Mugo, his deputy, Joel Gichuru and Majority Leader Jesse Kamuri snubbing the festivities.

Speculation has been rife in the media on plans to impeach Gachagua after MCAs spent one week at a retreat in Mombasa.

It was alleged part of the agenda for the retreat was to discuss possible impeachment of the governor.

Kabaru MCA Duncan Gituanja took issue with the assembly leaders’ absence, but maintained the 15 MCAs present were in support of the governor’s leadership.

“If we had plans to impeach the governor, we would not do so via the media but we would present a motion in the assembly, which would be discussed and voted on,” Mr Gituanja said.

No grounds

He insisted that the MCAs planning to impeach the governor were less than 10, which was not enough to vote on an impeachment motion.

“I would like to assure residents that there are no grounds to impeach the governor. We support his leadership and stand behind his plans for the county,” Gituanja said.

Mr Gachagua blamed the rumours of impeachment on the Speaker and accused him of wading into political matters.

“The assembly speaker should always remain neutral and stop inciting MCAs against me, because that is not his role,” he warned.

He accused Mr Mugo of convincing the MCAs to pass the Ward Development Fund Bill despite his refusal to sign it into law due to its illegality.

“You told the MCAs to pass the bill with the two-thirds majority yet you know that the Constitution is very clear that the MCAs cannot implement the fund and, therefore, the law is an illegality,” said the governor.

Gachagua’s sentiments were echoed by Senator Mutahi Kagwe who insisted that the speaker must be neutral in his decisions.

“The role of the assembly is oversight and all decisions made within the legislature must be reasonable,” he said.