No end to Kiambu wars as William Kabogo laughs off impeachment plan

Wrangling among politicians and interests groups has characterised President Uhuru Kenyatta’s home county for two years now.

Senator Kimani Wamatangi, MPs Kimani Ichungw’a (Kikuyu), Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika town), Kigo Njenga (Gatundu North), Mburu Kahangara (Lari) and some MCAs led by Karungo Wa Thang’wa do not sit easy with Governor William Kabogo.

All of them have complained that they are seldom consulted by the governor and his administration when critical issues about the county emerge. Ichungwa claims refusal by the governor to consult or even share information with MPs, even on matters concerning their constituencies, is the source of the discord.

“We have instances where there are projects being allocated funds by both CDF and the county government because of lack of consultation,” Ichungw’a said.

But county spokesman Machel Waikenda downplayed the MP’s claims, saying the county government was in good working relationship with local elected leaders

“The governor and his administration consult and work with all elected leaders and residents without discrimination,” said Waikenda.

Name-calling among leaders, legal battles between the county government and interest groups and impeachments in the county assembly has been the norm. It does not seem to matter that all the wrangling leaders are members of TNA. The location of county headquarters has been one of the contested issues.

Area leaders have been squabbling over location of the headquarters since last year, with Kiambu MPs calling on Kabogo to respect the decision of the people to have the offices in the town. The governor is currently operating from Thika town, where he, together with his deputy and cabinet, are housed.

New offices

Last year, Mr Kabogo refused to occupy offices in Kiambu town, citing poor conditions. Before new offices could be built, he shifted the county base to Thika town, an idea that did not go down well with most leaders.

Recently, Kiambu Town MP Jude Njomo and MCAs gave Kabogo 14 days to move to Kiambu town or face legal action and impeachment. Already, an impeachment motion targeting the governor championed by Limuru Central Ward Rep Njenga Murugami is in the offing.

A total 28 MCAs have expressed support for the proposed Motion and Mr Murugami said he just needed one more ward rep to endorse it before tabling it in the assembly.

But Kabogo laughed off the impeachment bid, saying he is confident the plot will not succeed.

Speaking in a radio talk show early this week, Kabogo said he believed “all planned against me and my administration shall not prosper.”

“My focus now is development of the county and not cheap politics. I will be there for a few years, but Kiambu County will be there for posterity,” said Kabogo.

Kabogo has minced no words in his criticism of some Kiambu leaders who have been critical of his administration. Kabogo’s failure to honour summons by the Senate to answer queries on the county’s finances contained in the Auditor General has also attracted heat.

It is not only political leaders who have been having a bone to chew with him. Interest groups have also been embroiled in battles with the county. Last year residents moved to court seeking the nullification of the Finance Act, claiming it was unconstitutional. In the end, the residents had their way.