I have been abused by both men and women -Deputy Governor of Makueni Adelina Mwau

 Adelina Mwau is the Deputy Governor of Makueni, arguably Kenya's most ungovernable county, which President Uhuru refused to dissolve. She spoke to PHILIP MUASYA on that and why women are their own worst enemies

After President Uhuru Kenyatta declined to dissolve the county government, something which the executive arm of the county government strongly pushed for, how is the relationship now between the executive and the county assembly?

We have been battling with the MCAs over the budget, court cases and the dissolution process. The struggle to dissolve the county government has made the MCAs realise their mandate.

We have also appreciated that no one is indispensable and that the people are our bosses. We are currently working smoothly and hoping that the relationship between us and the assembly keeps on improving. Besides who wants to cut a tree while seated on it?

A section of leaders from Makueni including MPs have accused the executive arm of the county government of lacking in vision, being inept and condoning corruption. Comment.
We have a government that doesn't condone corruption. We have sacked those who have involved themselves into the vice. Other cases are being investigated by relevant authorities.

Most deputy governors are not heard while a few others are at loggerheads with their governors. Has the post  been appreciated?

 The post of Deputy Governors is well appreciated, if not it would not be featuring in the constitution. For instance Article 179 (1) (2) (a) illustrates the position well.

The rifts you are hearing across the counties between governors and their deputies are caused by misunderstandings, mostly stemming from lack of transparency in running the county government.

One may be doing things while keeping the other in the dark. And you know you can't legislate relationship. When you came in as a deputy governor you knew your position and should stick to your mandate to be able to serve the people who put you to power. Personally I feel recognised by my governor and the entire executive.

I am the governor when Prof (Kivutha) Kibwana is not in and when out there representing him. I make decisions and consult the governor in matters that need consultations.

There is no female governor or elected senator in the country and only a few female deputy governors. What is the future of women leadership in the country?
The future of women leadership is here to stay, and this is captured in article 27(3) of the constitution.
Currently we have a club of 47 elected governors and 47 elected senators but in 2017, Kenyans should brace themselves for women occupying those seats.

Women should start seeing fellow women as leaders and vote for them. Women must be assertive. Stereotypes must be suspended.

 It has been said that women are their own worst enemies, that irrespective of their numerical strength, they do not vote for their own. Is this true?
A: Women are not enemies of each other. That is a myth we need to demystify.

We are socialised as women to see leadership as a male domain therefore when you are seen taking those positions, fellow women and men start asking who you think you are.

I have been abused by men and women especially during the 1997 campaigns when Charity Ngilu was contesting for presidency.

People were chanting that, 'Ngilu we love you and we can buy you a trouser but we can't buy you a beard.' This showed that for you to be a leader you should own certain features.

The experience gave me a lot of excitement...it gave me the momentum to run for Kaiti Constituency parliamentary seat. I did not win but Ngilu nominated me. If women were enemies of each other I wouldn't have been in parliament through Ngilu.

Ngilu's bid to run for the top seat started changing perceptions in the society. People started seeing future in women leadership. I work very well with women, I am not jealous of other women aspiring to be leaders.

What is the county government of Makueni doing to address the perennial water problems in the county?

 We have huge budgets for water provision for the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 Financial Years. Our plan is to build six mega dams in each of the six sub counties and three smaller dams in every ward.
We are also desilting the existing one for instance at Kee and Kalanzoni we have done a few. 'Kutwiikania kiwu' is our slogan and we are encouraging the residents and schools to harvest rain water, do water pans and farm dams. We are going to make a difference in Makueni

You recently accused Machakos governor Dr Alfred Mutua of kurandaranda (idling) in Makueni. What is your view about Mutua's Maendelo Chap Chap movement which he claims is the panacea to the problems bedeviling Ukambani?

  Each county is independent. When a governor wants to visit another county, why can't he have the courtesy of asking his fellow governor to join him?
For example the Kibwezi-Kitui road is a national project. When Mutua claims he will deliver the road, which budget is he going to use to tarmac the road? It is such cheap politics of deception that we object to.

When he claims 'Nikimaliza kazi kwangu nitaleta tingatinga Makueni' what is he trying to tell us? If you must know, there are more problems in Machakos than anywhere else in Ukambani. He should sort them first.

What is your message to the leaders beating the drums of war in their utterances, considering that the next elections are just around the corner?
I do not buy some utterances made by a section of our politician sometimes. Sometimes I wish I was in the civil society so that I could shout out loud. Have we cared for the victims of 2007 post-election violence yet leaders are all over the place holding prayer rallies? Let's show integrity, maturity and leadership.

 Most governors and their deputies are living under the fear of MCAs, who will not hesitate to impeach them should they not have their way. Do you think it is time MCAs' power to impeach governors was clipped by way of amending the constitution?
 The people must be consulted because they elected the governor the same as they elected the MCAs. The reasons for impeachments must hold water. Not witch-hunt as we have witnessed in the recent past.

 Sand harvesting has been a thorn in the flesh in your county. A month ago, one person was killed, several injured and houses burnt at Kasikeu area. What is the county government doing to stamp out sand cartels?
 Sand is one of our key resource. It's not reasonable that people come from outside and ferry 14 tonnes of our sand in a lorry which they sell at Sh70, 000 yet they pay our people a pittance.

We have rivers that we want to protect; we are running out of water because rivers have been scooped bare. It's sad that youths have died in this trade.

More shocking is that police receive bribes to look the other way. However the County Assembly passed Sand Regulation and Utilisation Act that is meant to protect the resource.

We are putting measures in place to ensure sand in Makueni is paid for. Currently we have a sand ban which is still in force.

A big chunk of the Standard Gauge Railway will pass through Makueni County. Is this something for the residents to celebrate?

The towns along the railway line will grow economically. Konza Techno City will also benefit a lot. Farmers and business people will be able to access markets easily. Yes it is a blessing for us.

It has been rumoured that you are warming your ground to contest Kaiti constituency seat in 2017, is that so?

 I am still the deputy governor of Makueni and when 2017 comes I will decide. However I can't go for an MP's seat when I'm comfortable as a deputy governor.

I want to use my 30 years' experience to empower women here in the county. If governor Kibwana runs in 2017, I will still be his running mate and in 2022 I will run for the governor's seat.