Governor says MCAs want a bribe to drop impeachment motion

Nyeri Governor, Nderitu Gachagua, has claimed that a section of county representatives are asking for bribes from him as a condition to drop their impeachment push.

Gachagua is facing an impeachment motion over apparent failure to allow the MCAs to manage the Ward Development Fund to the tune of Ksh 180 million.

Already, 33 of the 47 MCAs in the county have supported the bid to impeach the Governor.

Reports of impeachment have spread through most of Governor Gachagua’s tenure, with the move gaining momentum last year after he declined to approve a budget that would allow the MCAs to control the multi-million kitty.

Gachagua also faced threats of impeachment early this year following his long absence from office after he travelled abroad for treatment.

In June 2016, the county boss revealed that a plan to impeach him was due to his rejection to sign a Ksh 90 million budget for construction of their gym.

Despite the storm rocking his administration, Gachagua has said that he would not be cowed by the MCAs’ impeachment push saying he will soldier on in his bid to serve the people of Nyeri.

The sailing has not been smooth for Gachagua who was elected on a GNU ticket with majority of County MCAs affiliated to The National Unity (TNA) party.

In 2014, six MPs from the county also planned to push for the removal of the Governor after he voiced his support for the Pesa Mashinani referendum drive.

The MPs, led by Othaya legislator Mary Wambui, had claimed that Gachagua’s move was in contravention of Jubilee’s agenda and had strained the relationship between the national and county governments.

Last week, eleven MCAs, led by Chinga MCA Paul Ngiria, came out in support of Gachagua claiming the impeachment push is being orchestrated by individuals who lost to him in the 2013 elections.

@benjaminwafula