Governor Waititu suspends CEC as another resigns

Suspended Water,Environment and Natural Resources County Executive Member John Mugwe when he was sworn-in in to office late last last year at the County Headquarters by Kiambu Chief Magistrate Patricia Gichohi(Right).Mugwe was last week suspended for 30 days by his boss Ferdinand WaitituT.PHOTO BY KAMAU MAICHUHIE.

Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has suspended the County Executive Member in charge of Water, Environment and Natural resources.

In a letter dated April 12, and which was seen by The Standard, the Governor ordered John Mugwe to proceed on leave for 30 working days. “I shall have a meeting with you after the expiry of your leave to agree on your performance and set targets,” reads part of the letter signed by the governor.

The suspension comes barely a month after Mr Mugwe was transferred from the Roads, Transport and Public Works docket where he was CEC since last November. “Yours truly John Mugwe has been requested to proceed on leave for a period of 30 working days effective today. It is a shock but hoping (sic) that I will continue serving Kiambu people after the 30 days,” Mugwe posted on Facebook.

Last year Mugwe shelved his ambitions to be Kiambu governor. Others that shelved similar ambitions to back Waititu for the seat are deputy governor James Nyoro, David Kariuki Ngari, commonly referred to as Gakuyo, and Aquiline Njoki.

The group formed a movement dubbed United for Kiambu, which eventually trounced William Kabogo in the Jubilee Party primaries and later in the last August 8 General Election.

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At the weekend, Waititu defended his move to suspend Mr Mugwe, saying it was triggered by the CEC's presence on social media. “If your work is taking pictures and posting them on Facebook and WhatsApp, then we shall not allow that,” said Waititu.

The suspension comes in the wake of the resignation of Agriculture CEC Dr Jeremiah Nyori, after what sources described as frustration by senior county government officials.