Mwangi wa Iria: I do not fear impeachment motion

Murang’a county governor Mwangi wa Iria has finally spoken on the impeachment motion tabled against him.

Iria is accused, of gross misconduct and abuse of office by a section of MCAs, in Muranga County.

Speaking during Deputy President William Ruto’s visit to Wahudura secondary school in Mathioya constituency, the governor seemed easy on the impeachment issue saying he knows the MCAs want to impeach him but has nothing to fear because the said impeachment motion has been withdrawn.

However majority leader Peter Kihungi said the allegations against the governor were true and are supported by relevant documents.

Three days ago, Murang’a County Assembly members begun the process of removing Governor Mwangi Wa Iria for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

Speaker Nduati Kariuki allowed a notice of the impeachment motion be tabled by nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) Mary Waithera.

According to Waithera, the house resolved to remove the Governor from office pursuant to Article 181 (1) (a) (b) (c) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and Section 33 of the County Governments Act 2012.

She accused the Governor of gross violation of the constitution, County Governments Act 2012, the Public Finance Management Act 2012 and the Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2005.

The MCAs have more than once criticized the executive for failing to control county debts saying the executive arm of the county government does not implement the set departmental ceilings.

Waithera cited lack of accountability in the management and use of county resources by incurring unsustainable debt to the tune of Ksh 2.5 billion which she said were not disclosed in the Debt Management and Fiscal Paper 2015.

She also accused the Governor of spending public funds in private commercial entities saying the auditors reports showed that the county spent over Ksh 28 million in the controversial Murang’a Investment Co-Operative Society known as Shilingi Kwa Shilingi.

She added that the executive under the Governor incurred advertisement expenditure costs amounting to Ksh 247 million against an approved budget of Ksh 7 million thereby undermining the principals of fiscal prudence.

“The Governor has also failed to establish the county budget and economic forum and also disregarded the county assembly and undermining its legislative authority through requisition of monies and not remitting the same hence crippling operations of the house,” said Waithera

The assembly accused the Governor of borrowing a loan of Ksh 200 million from the Kenya Commercial Bank without a guarantee from National Treasury.

The assembly members said they had nothing personal against the Governor adding that they have attempted to hold talks with him but their efforts have gone to waste.

More than a third of the members supported the motion by appending their signatures on the verification form as required by the law.

According to the standing orders of the assembly, the motion will be placed on the order paper after seven days and members will have to debate it within three days.