No reprieve for Mwangaza as MCAs plot to impeach eight CECs

Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s tiff with the County Assembly has taken a new twist as MCAs plan to impeach eight members of her cabinet. 

Following numerous complaints by the ward reps that some County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) were disrespectful by failing to appear in the assembly, they now want to axe nearly the entire cabinet.

Among those on the chopping board include County Secretary Kiambi Atheru and Health CEC George Mungania.

Others are Finance Executive Ibrahim Mutwiri, Trade, Tourism and Cooperatives CEC Harriet Makena, her Education counterpart Yusuf Kithure, Water’s Jackson Muthamia, Legal Affairs and Public Service Management’s Dickson Munene, alongside their Agriculture and Youth Affairs and Social Development, Roads and Transport colleagues.

The notices of impeachment were tabled by different MCAs who cited various grounds, including abuse of office, incompetence and gross misconduct.

A common charge against virtually all of them was ignoring summonses to appear before the assembly to answer various with queries on financial management, with the reps accusing them of failing to comply with numerous legal provisions that required accountability and transparency.

Majority Chief Whip and Athwana MCA Jim Muchui, who tabled the impeachment motion against the Agriculture CEC, cited a petition presented in the assembly that called for an investigation against senior Executives in the devolved unit.

Mr Muchui said despite multiple summonses for the officers to appear to answer to various queries, the Assembly had been disregarded, compromising accountability. “The continued stay in office despite the indictment and disregard for oversight mechanisms poses a serious risk to the integrity of the county government, public confidence and prudent use of public resources,” Muchui said.

"The continued stay in office despite the indictment and disregard for oversight mechanisms poses a serious risk to the integrity of the county government, public confidence and prudent use of public resources," Muchui said.

He said the officers were in breach of Article 10 and Chapter Six of the Constitution, which emphasize integrity, accountability, and good governance.

"Deliberate refusal to respond to multiple summonses reeked of blatant contempt for the MCAs' oversight role and had the effect of hindering transparency in governance.

"Zero response back to the County Assembly reflects a lack of leadership, vision and operational oversight in a critical department," Muchui added.

Nominated MCA Benson Kiriinya and Abogeta West MCA Dennis 'DMK' Kiogora tabled the impeachment motions against the County Secretary and Finance Executive, respectively.

Mr Kiriinya accused Dr Atheru of usurping the role of the County Public Service Board and of gross misconduct, among other violations.

"The County Secretary has failed to honour multiple summonses, invites and letters from the County Assembly, thus compromising accountability and transparency, he said.

The Finance Executive was accused of failing to supply the assembly with various documents, reports, and records, including the quarterly reports on the expenditure by the executive arm.