Bid to reconcile Governor Mwangi wa Iria and Senate Deputy Speaker Kemb Gitura political camps in Murang'a County flops again

Former Cabinet Minister Charles Rubia addresses the Murang’a County Assembly. He chairs the county’s Council of Eminent Persons that is trying to reconcile leaders. (PHOTO: BONIFACE GIKANDI/ STANDARD)

Efforts to reconcile warring leaders in Murang’a County have hit a snag after a section boycotted a reconciliation meeting organised by the county’s Council of Eminent Persons.

All appeared well when the group chaired by former Nairobi mayor and minister Charles Rubia brought together the leaders, who have for the past three years been on each others necks, to a luncheon last month. The agenda was to forge unity among the leaders following prolonged political bickering.

On one side is a group led by Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura and which has been on the warpath with Governor Mwangi wa Iria.

But Iria and Kangema MP Tiras Ngahu skipped a second luncheon called at a Nairobi hotel last week over fears that the council was planning to endorse certain politicians to contest elective posts next year.

Gitura and MPs Jamleck Kamau (Kigumo), Peter Kamande (Maragua), Humphrey Njuguna (Gatanga) and Clement Wambugu (Mathioya) attended the meeting.  Two other MPs — Alice Wahome (Kandara) and Irung’u Kang’ata (Kiharu) — sent apologies citing parliamentary engagements.

Gitura’s group is accusing the governor of skewed distribution of county resources, among them sweet potato vines and subsidised manure to coffee farmers.

The allegations that the council, whose other members include former minister Maina Wanjigi, Jane Kiano, Muthoni Likimani, Equity Bank Chairman Peter Munga, former PS Joe Kibe and retired Thika Anglican Bishop Gedion Githiga, are out to determine who runs for what seat have caused renewed enmity between the two camps.

Contacted, Governor Iria dismissed our questions on why he skipped the luncheon.

“For now I have no comments on the matter as I am busy strategising on how to develop Murang’a as I promised I would,” said Iria.

Ngahu, the Kangema MP, has emerged as the face of the anti-council wing. Last weekend, he said there was need for residents to establish a forum for leaders instead of a council composed of non-elected persons. He said he skipped the luncheon as the elders lacked a mandate to summon elected leaders.

“I personally ignored the lunch as I was busy engaging local leaders from three wards in developing a strategic plan for the constituency,” said the MP.

Ngahu said the council risks causing more political friction especially if their main agenda is to influence who is elected in next year’s elections.

“By all indications, this looks like a political cartel,” said Ngahu.

Kiano, the only woman in the council, said they are only interested in ideas on how to develop Murang’a and address issues of security, agriculture and education.

“We only give advice when we feel things are not right especially when the leadership split,” said Kiano.
She said the elders would leave the residents to elect leaders of their choice. A youth forum chaired by MCA James Kagoni accused Ngahu of ridiculing the elders by labeling them a cartel. “The council members are people of integrity and have all the right to give advice on various issues and especially on matters touching on unity among leaders,” said Kagoni.

The council was established late last year just before the failed impeachment motion against the governor by the local county assembly, which had listed 28 grounds, including misappropriation of funds, to kick out Iria.

But Kamande dismissed Ngahu’s aspersions, saying the council  clearly stated during the luncheon that they were not interested in politics and were only seeking ways to create a conducive atmosphere for wealth creation.

“All the veteran leaders wanted to impress upon us was the need to carry out competitive politics in an atmosphere of peace and harmony,” said Kamande.

Deputy Governor Gakure Monyo said he attended the first lunch date but was not invited for the latest one as it was meant for MPs.

“I think it is wise to respect the elders as our people say a congregation hosted by elders never goes wrong,” Monyo said from Israel where he was on a visit until Thursday. “Especially now that those people have confessed zero political interest and just wish to offer advice.”

Community leader Benjamin Gachagua said the council has the blessings to engage all leaders.
“The council has a bigger role to play and should not be belittled,” said Gachagua, a member of Kikuyu Council of Elders Murang’a chapter.

Gitura said the eminent persons were a repository of wisdom and should feel free to visit the region and provide advice for prosperity.