MP says MCAs’ plan to kick Cheboi out of office ill-advised

By STEVE MKAWALE and VINCENT MABATUK

Baringo, Kenya: Tiaty MP Asman Kamama has come to the defence of the embattled Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, who is facing an impeachment Motion.

The MP has called for dialogue between the governor and Members of the County Assembly, saying impeaching Cheboi would not resolve the car loan issue that triggered the ire of the county MPs.

Speaking in Nakuru yesterday, Kamama said for the sake of harmony the county leaders should learn to tolerate each other to foster development.

“I call upon the MCAs to promote harmony and avoid confrontation politics with the governor for the sake of smooth-running of county affairs,” he said.

The legislator observed that any instability in the county would scare away investors and affect development.

Impeachment notice

Kamama was reacting to a Motion to impeach the governor on grounds of ineptitude.

Over 22 MCAs have signed the notice of motion supporting the ouster of Cheboi.

Assembly Minority Leader Wesley Lekakimon has faulted the slow uptake of funds allocated to Baringo County, which he claims has led to  millions of shillings being returned to Treasury.

The impeachment notice was introduced in the House by Amaya-Churo Ward Representative Thomas Minito.

The MP said it was paramount for MCAs and the office of the Governor to complement each other if development is to be realised in the county.

He added that any differences with the office of the governor may lead to gridlock in the implementation of projects that are supposed to benefit the people.

He pointed out that impeachment should be the last resort after dialogue has failed.

Meanwhile, Police and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers have recovered a rifle hidden under a shrub in Mzee Wanyama village, Nakuru County.

Nakuru County Commissioner Mohammed Birik said police officers recovered the firearm, which they suspect was used to kill a rhino in Lake Nakuru National Park early this month.

Powerful weapon

“We recovered the rifle, a Mark 4, bearing serial number 44112. This is a powerful arm and is capable of killing big wild animals,” Birik said.

The commissioner said four rounds of ammunition and a cartridge were recovered at the scene.

The rifle was discovered by a member of the public while cutting the shrub anda alerted KWS, who in turn informed other Government security organs.

Interestingly, the spot where the gun was hidden was about 40 metres from the National Park perimeter fence at a rocky area roamed by herders with their animals.

The commissioner said it was not possible to tell how long the gun had been in the area, but explained it was not registered to any of the security forces within the country.

 “This discovery is a breakthrough. We would like to thank the public, especially the communities living near the national park, who tipped us on this dangerous weapon,” Birik added.

Birik, who was accompanied by Nakuru DCIO Collins Wekesa, said the park that has recently witnessed unexplained killings of rhinos by poachers was under 24-hour security surveillance.

“Poachers’ days in this protected area are numbered and they should avoid stepping here. The war will continue until our animals are safe,” he stated.

More than 10 rhinos have been killed in the park since January despite measures put in place by KWS to address the menace.

KWS has since reshuffled senior officers at the park as part of measures to stem the rampant poaching at the park.

According to KWS, the park which is also a rhino sanctuary, has over 100 black and white rhinos, with about 75 rangers manning the area.

KWS has also cited increasing water levels at the lake, which it says has pushed rhinos close to the fence thus exposing them to poachers.