Tension high as MCAs move to impeach Muranga Governor

Tension engulfed Murang’a town as the County Assembly debated a motion to impeach Governor Mwangi wa Iria over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.

Police were deployed to guard the County Assembly as the debate when on following earlier attempts by rowdy youth to torch the Speaker’s office and a county assembly vehicle.

According to reports, unknown people were also reported to have chained the gate leading to the County Assembly barring the members of the county assembly from accessing the premises.

MCAs, who had been expected to table the motion Wednesday afternoon, were said to have spent the night in a disclosed location in Embu County to deliberate on the approach to take.

The MCAs are also said to have sought refuge in Embu following reports of a plan to interfere with the impeachment process.

Meanwhile, members of the Murang’a Women Forum have castigated a nominated MCA for tabling a motion to impeach Governor Mwangi wa Iria.

While addressing the press in Murang’a town, the members said the mover of the motion Mary Waithera has disregarded the voices of thousands of women from the county.

Led by one of their official, Mary Muthoni, the disgruntled ladies said Waithera sponsored the motion for selfish reasons, not considering public views.

“Before Waithera embarks on mudslinging the governor, she ought to first account for her contribution in addressing the women agenda in the Murang’a County Assembly,” said Muthoni in a statement.

The women lauded the governor for his apparent support for women by providing them with a platform to from Saccos.

The Saccos are said to have benefited from special category procurement opportunities and erection of commercial accommodation facility at Murang’a University College among other initiatives.

Muthoni added that among accusations Waithera is leveling against the governor is failure to involve and consult residents in county development affairs, claims she says are mere fabrications.

“Governor Mwangi wa Iria usually holds routine sub county and ward public consultative forums for women and other players in various sector to dissect the county development agenda,” said Muthoni.

On the impeachment motion which was tabled in the assembly last week, the women said it was politically motivated and instigated by anti-development agents who are keen on settling political scores against the Governor with brazen disregard to public interest.

“We demand that nominated MCA Waithera withdraws the motion or else we will institute serious civic action against her and the assembly “said Peninah Kiromo, one of the members.

“We are ready to go the Makueni-way if the assembly continues to exhibit the tendency of holding development at ransom.”

In account of establishing a rehabilitation centre, Kiromo hailed the governor saying the facility has helped many young people who were tied under the cuffs of alcoholism and drug abuse.

Last week, Waithera gave notice of the motion to remove Mwangi wa Iria from office on grounds of lack of accountability as well as the misuse of the public resources which has plunged the county into a Sh2.5 billion debt.

By Jemimah Gathoni