Kiambu MCAs oust executive from office

Karungo wa Thangw’a, Kiambu Youth Affairs, Sports and Communication executive after being sworn at the county headquarters. [Kamau Maichuhie/Standard]

Kiambu County Assembly has ousted Youth and Sports Executive Karungo Thangw’a.

During debate yesterday, only two out of 53 MCAs opposed the motion to have the executive removed over alleged abuse of office and gross misconduct.

The motion was moved by nominated MCA Njeri Bakari and seconded by Ndenderu Ward rep Solomon Kinuthia.

Nominated MCA Lucy Njoki and her Witeithie counterpart Macharia Taki opposed the motion.

The MCAs accused Mr Thangw’a of sleeping on the job since he was appointed to the docket.

They accused the executive of undermining acting Governor James Nyoro, noting he does not attend cabinet meetings leading to the department not being allocated any development money.

“Since the launch of Jijenge Fund no one has ever been given money despite loan forms being distributed across the county. Two years down the line, the money was returned back to Treasury,” said Ms Bakari.

The ward reps accused Thangw’a of launching a football tournament, which they said stalled despite a lot of funds being used to launch it.

“The executive launched a driving school programme two years ago where 1,200 youths were trained but have never been awarded with driving licences despite Petanns Driving School being paid,” said Kinoo MCA Kimani Wanjiku.

The assembly put in place a special committee to investigate the allegations against the executive.

In July, Thangw’a came under sharp focus after the assembly was told the youth department used Sh1.9 million to launch the tournament that took place at the Kiambu County headquarters on April 1.

The details emerged when Mr Thang’wa and his Chief Officer Penina Kamau appeared before Youth Sports and Social Services Committee that is chaired by Kamburu MCA Gathuru Mburu.

According to Ms Kamau, the county paid Sh1 million for a mobile stadium and branded scarfs and Sh300,000 for the public address system and brochures.

Kamau said the county also spent Sh100,000 on bottled water, Sh50,000 on a portable dais, Sh107,000 for décor and media wall and Sh40,000 for transport and logistics.