Drama as 60-year-old youth nominee camps at governor’s office

The fate of embattled nominee for the youth and gender docket remains unknown after Governor Wahome Gakuru failed to formally appoint her despite the county assembly endorsing her.

With mystery surrounding her appointment, Sheila Githaiga has been camping at the governor’s office seeking to know her fate.

On Wednesday, the 60-year-old nominee spent most of the day at the governor’s office but was not granted audience.

Cabinet meeting

Even as she was camping outside the county office, Governor Gakuru was chairing his first cabinet meeting having witnessed the swearing in of the other nominees in an elaborate ceremony on Monday.

Githaiga was neither invited for the swearing in ceremony nor issued with an appointment letter despite having been vetted and her appointment approved by the county assembly.

A disappointed Githaiga said she was looking for the governor to clarify why her appointment has not been finalised.

“I have tried calling him but he has not picked my phone calls. I have been waiting for him to explain to me why he is sidelining me,” she said.

No timeline

Attempts to  get Gakuru’s comments were futile as he failed to pick phone calls and reply to text messages.

Deputy Governor Mutahi Kahiga, however, said that there was no timeline in selecting the county executive.

“The governor is the appointing authority. And there is no timeline on his decision. We do not have to pick all our cabinet members at once,” he said.

Githaiga’s nomination for the Social Services, Gender, Sports and Youth department has been marred with controversy after she was faced with resistance from youth leaders.

Youth leaders, including some MCAs, protested her nomination saying she was not suited to address the issues facing the youth due to her age.

However, after the vetting, the Assembly Committee on Appointments led by Nyeri Assembly Speaker John Kaguchia approved Ms Githaiga’s appointment.