By ERIC WAINAINA

The saying ‘in politics, there are no permanent friends or enemies’ may be true of the Kiambu County leadership.

Last year, Governor William Kabogo was at loggerheads with Members of the County Assembly who had the backing of 11 of the 13 local MPs.

But the situation has since changed and it’s now Kabogo and the MCA’s against the MPs, with the latter getting daily salvos from the two county officials.

The bone of contention began with the county offices which Kabogo temporarily shifted from the gazetted Kiambu town to Thika.

Kabogo said the defunct Kiambu Municipal Council offices, which were reserved for him were deplorable and were not fit to hold a governor.

The MCAs and MPs, especially those from the eastward, opposed the move.

The issue was followed with allegations that Kabogo was practicing a dictatorial leadership style and even interfering with the functions of the county assembly through the speaker Nick Ndichu who prior to his appointment he was Kabogo’s lawyer.

The issue culminated in the unsuccessful attempt by assembly members to oust Ndichu.

This was to be followed by a bizarre proposed Finance Bill that was fought by MPs and MCAs who said it was punitive and would kill businesses in the county.

The MCAs heeded to the people’s pressure and rejected it in December.

However, this was the beginning of a good relationship between the governor and MCAs, causing a rift between the MPs and MCAs.

And a journey foster a good relationship between the two county organs was fast-tracked that saw the Assembly revisit the Bill and hurriedly approved it with minor amendments.

Demands and promises

The move was followed with an exclusive meeting between Kabogo and MCAs where MCAs are said has made their demands that came with promises.

It was followed by MCAs’ trips to Israel where upon return, they openly said they had been “saved” after tasting the water from River Jordan. The term “saved” implied stopping fighting Kabogo.

James Njenga, the Kiambu town MCA even carried a bottle of the “holy” water from River Jordan, which during a session, he sprinkled on his fellow MCAs who were yet to visit Israel.

“I took a birth water from Jordan and we are now on track (to be on Kabogo’s side) and I hoped after sprinkling this to you, you will also see the light,” Njenga, who was vocally against governor said, amid praises from fellow MCAs.

Chege Wanji from Githothuo Ward was also a vocal oppose of Kabogo but after the trip, he also said he has seen the light and asked fellow MCAs who have not travelled that on getting to Israel, they make sure they birth in liver Jordan.

Since then, it has been Kabogo and MCAs on one side and MPs on the other.

The MCAs have been holding endless press conferences attacking the MPs, accusing them of meddling with county affairs and have been asking them to “mind their own business”.

Last month, Thika MP Alice N’gan’ga and her Kikuyu counterpart Kimani Ichun’gwa launched scathing attacked on Kabogo over what they described as his lack of respected to the Kiambu people.

“Our leaders from the National Assembly are everywhere insulting me. Who told this first time MPs that if you do not make insults politics will not be sweet,” he said during a meeting at Kirigiti stadium implying on the two MPs.

,Ichun’gwa during a function attended by Deputy President William Ruto in Thika, said Kabogo has disrespected Kiambu people by lying that he would return the headquarters in Kiambu town six months after his swearing in which he hadn’t.

On the other hand, Ms Ng’an’ga accused Kabogo of dictatorship and failure to foster development in the county.

The saga ended up with calling of unprintable words by Kabogo and MCAs to the two legislators and warning to others. 

Nelson Munga from Ndeiya in Limuru was among the MCas who asked MPs to leave Kabogo and the county affairs especially concerning the headquarter issue.

Olive branch

Recently Kabogo extended an olive branch to the MPs saying he is ready to work together but his pleas seem to be following on deaf ears if the current satiation is anything to go by.

Presently, the county is in a fiasco following protests by traders do are opposed by hefty levies by the county government and they have received backup from MPs and condemnation from MCAs.

Earlier in the week, Senator Kimani Wamatangi, Francis Waititu (Juja) joined protestors who were chanting anti-Kabogo’s slogan in Thika town opposing the levies.

The following day, eight MPs Jude Njomo (Kiambu), John Kiragu (Limuru) Mburu Kahangara (Lari) Jossy Ngugi (Gatundu South) Kigo Njenga (Gatundu North), Njoroge Baiya (Githunguri), N’gan’ga, Waititu and Ichungwa held a joined press conference at a Nairobi hotel, condemning Kabogo.

Infact since the election, the above MPs have and the senator have not been attending Kabogo’s functions, signifying the rift between them.

As they did that, elected and nominated MCAs led by Majority leader Simon Komu were at a Kiambu road hotel attacking the MPs and even asked inspector General of police to arrest N’gan’ga for alleged incitement.

They also want them not to discuss county issue be it development or political.

But Karungo wa Thangwa (Ngewa) differed with them, saying as residents and local leaders, they have a right to criticize the county government.

“Just like any other resident of Kiambu, MPs also welcome to pinpoint our shortcomings for us to change or improve. Even the president himself made some national appointments that were against the law and had to rectify them after someone somewhere noted the mistake. Again the constitution gives every Kenyan right and power to question any government said,” he said.