Answer queries on funds, Iria told

Senate deputy speaker Kembi Gitura has rubbished claims he is at war with Governor Mwangi wa Iria over procurement and Shilingi kwa Shilingi (savings and cooperative society).

Murang'a Governor Mwangi wa Iria

Instead, the Murang’a governor said he was only seeking answers on spending of public money.

In his new year message, Gitura told the governor to respond to issues he has raised on behalf of locals and which featured prominently during the failed impeachment process.

Addressing a congregation at Deliverance Church in Murang’a town, Kembi said issues raised about the county government’s spending are yet to be clarified.
“The governor should know I am not at war with him or any other person but exercising my constitutional rights as a senator and demanding honest answers,” said Kembi.

Disputed land

He said Iria should come out and explain the spending and the importance of a land measuring 34 acres that the county government procured in Mitumbiri, Makuyu at Sh340 million.
“How can an acre of land in Makuyu fetch above Sh2.5 million. I am being labelled as a person at war with the governor for seeking answers to the issue,” he said.

Last week when hosting the elderly for an end-year party, Iria accused the senator of reopening wounds after the aborted impeachment. He also said Kembi was frustrating development meant to have impact in the community.
“I am totally fed up with my senator since in all meetings he is presiding over, I am always the agenda,” said Iria as he warned the senator against dragging his name in shoddy and retrogressive politics.

On scrapping of Senate, Kembi termed the proposal by Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria christened ‘punguza mizigo’ (reduce the baggage) as a big joke that would sabotage devolution.
“If Senate is scrapped, then county assemblies will also be a thing of the past,” said the Senate deputy speaker.