By RENSON MNYAMWEZI
The controversy surrounding the swearing-in ceremony of Taita-Taveta County Executive members further deepened after elected leaders boycotted a meeting convened to find an amicable solution to the problem.
Wundanyi MP Thomas Mwadeghu was the only one who attended the meeting convened by the County ACK Diocese Bishop Dr Samson Mwaluda at Shasha Camp in Mwatate District. County women representative Joyce Wanjala Lay and Voi legislator Jones Mlolwa blamed the organisers for failing to properly co-ordinate the meeting.
“At first we were told that the meeting was to be held at Voi Wildlife Lodge but was later changed to Shasha Camp. The abrupt change of the venue confused us and that is why we stayed away,” complained Ms Wanjala. Other leaders who failed to attend were Senator Dan Mwazo, Mr Mruttu, Taveta MP Dr Naomi Shaban and 20 County Assembly members.
Bishop Mwaluda and Mwadeghu said consultations on the matter were still going on.
Mlolwa, however, confirmed that the governor and senator met in Mombasa on Saturday to end the stalemate.
integrity queries
“The continued fighting is adversely affecting service delivery,” he said. “The concerns raised by county representatives are genuine. Why is it that one of the constituencies got five Cabinet slots while others got one each,” said Mlolwa.
Meanwhile, county ward representatives have said they would not allow Cabinet members to sit in various committee meetings of the Assembly.
“We rejected all the County Executive members but the governor went ahead to swear them in, in total disregard of the law,” said Sagala ward representative Godwin Kilele.
He disclosed that the County Assembly Speaker Maghanga Meshack Maghanga has convened a meeting on Tuesday to find the way forward to the crisis. According to him they had raised integrity queries about most of the nominees and have since challenged the matter in court.
The governor has, however, accused the County Assembly of failing to complete the vetting process within the stipulated 14-day period.
