Kirinyaga MCAs take governor to task over failed development projects

Kirinyaga Governor Joseph Ndathi. There was a lengthy standoff between four members of Kirinyaga County Assembly and the governor over alleged under-development in their wards.  ( PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/ STANDARD)

There was a lengthy standoff between four members of Kirinyaga County Assembly and the governor over alleged under-development in their wards.

During a tour of development projects in Thiba Ward, Governor Joseph Ndathi was puzzled by the conduct of the MCAs.

It all started when Mutithi MCA James Kinyua Mutugi claimed that most of the County Executive Committee (CEC) members were non-performers since no tangible development could be seen on the ground despite millions of shillings having been allocated in previous yearly budgets.

''When you come to my ward, we have 53 projects and only three have been completed since I got elected, yet every financial year funds are voted by the county assembly. Something is wrong with these project implementers,'' Mr Mutugi said amid cheers and jeers from the gathering at Nguka village.

After his hard-hitting speech, Mutugi then invited his colleague from Thiba Ward Jackson Murimi who echoed the sentiments as did John Waruri (Kanyekini MCA).

Shouting and jeering

But things took a strange twist when Mutugi invited the Mutithi Ward MCA Jenaro Njaamumo to address the gathering. At that point, Governor Ndathi shot up and said that the official could not speak at the function.

The rowdy crowd started shouting and jeering as Mr Njaamumo attempted to bring down the tent where some of the CECs and the gvernor were seated.

This resulted in a two-hour standoff as the gathering insisted that Njaamumo be allowed to speak or else they would not allow the governor to address them.

The mostly youthful crowd divided into two factions, each trying its best to outsmart the other in the shouting match.

The MCA claimed the CECs were sabotaging the governor's efforts.

The CEC's present were unable to respond to various questions the residents asked, prompting Ndathi to declare that he would from then on, personally monitor developments projects.

''I can see my lieutenants have let me down. We will be compelled to produce our score cards to Wanjiku next year and those sabotaging the development programmes should either shape up or be shown the door,'' he fumed.