Embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza faces renewed challenges as some county assembly members have filed another impeachment motion, while some residents are pushing for the county’s suspension.
The motion is scheduled for tabling in the assembly today. Meanwhile, nine voters have written to President William Ruto, requesting the suspension of the county, claiming it has become a “national shame and an object of ridicule.”
The petitioners argue that the political differences between Mwangaza and the MCAs have become irreconcilable, and suspending the county is the only remedy.
As a result of the said stalemate, the people of Meru County suffer and continue to suffer immeasurable damage in the form of violation of their rights as elucidated in this petition,” the petitioners say.
They accuse the assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi Solomon of holding the county to ransom by allegedly controlling it for his selfish interests.
“[Bundi] has expressly forbidden … Members of the County Assembly from working with the Executive and uses incentives such as membership to County Assembly Sectoral Committees and foreign trips to foster compliance,” they claim.
The petitioners claim that the Speaker uses his powers to unilaterally remove from committees any MCA who disobeys him, ensuring that these legislators do not participate in foreign trips. Meanwhile, obedient members are allowed to serve on as many as five committees and frequently travel abroad.
“The County Assembly premises are run as private grounds where admittance is reserved for those who are in the Speaker’s good books,” the petitioners claim.
“Members of the public are restricted from the gallery which should be open to the public and hence we are of the opinion that the Meru County Assembly is trying to hide things from us.”
Some 13 MCAs have reportedly moved to court ro challenge the Speaker’s decision to remove them from committees.
