Ward representatives impeach two top officials in Mwangaza administration

Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza. [Elvis Ogina, Standard]

A fresh conflict is brewing between Governor Kawira Mwangaza and Meru County Assembly after MCAs impeached two top officials in her government.

The joint County Assembly Committee on Labour, Public Service and Social Welfare and that on Justice, Legal Affairs and Cohesion, chaired by Martin Makasi and Gacheri Muthuri respectively, investigated claims of gross violation of the Constitution and other statutory laws against the Chief of Staff Harrison Gatobu alias Nchamba Mbithi and County Secretary Kiambi Atheru and found them guilty.

The two committees investigated Mr Gitonga and Dr Atheru following a petition by a section of residents urging MCAs to impeach them, and 10 other members of the Executive, over claims that they had grossly violated various laws and were thus unfit to hold public office.

Executives who the 1,611 petitioners wanted impeached are Monica Kathono (Finance), Dickson Munene (Legal Affairs and Public Service), Jackson Muthamia (Water), Thuranira Ithana (Agriculture), George Mungania (Health), Harriet Makena (Trade), Ibrahim Mutwiri (Roads).

Others were chief officers James Mutia (Cooperatives), Victor Akwalu (Agriculture), and Joyce Kagwiria (Education).

Most of the Executives honoured summons to appear before the MCAs to defend themselves. Gatobu failed to appear before the committee.

Dr Atheru was accused of usurping the powers of the Meru County Public Service Board but denied the allegation when he appeared before the committee.

But nominated MCAs Fridah Naito and Ruth Kananu alleged their colleagues had a vendetta against Mwangaza.