Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

top

Kenya

MCAs threatened with dissolution if Iria ejected

While threatening to go the 'Makueni way,' the residents implored Governor Iria not to give in to the demands of the MCAs and accused them of being self-centred/FILE

While threatening to go the ‘Makueni way,’ the residents implored Governor Iria not to give in to the demands of the MCAs and accused them of being self-centred/FILE

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 16 – A group of residents have given the Murang’a County Assembly a two-week ultimatum to withdraw a notice of motion to impeach Governor Mwangi wa Iria or they petition President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve the entire county.

In a press briefing held Thursday at a Murang’a hotel, the residents, Eliud Kuria, Samuel Kinyanjui, Sarah Nyambura, Chege Mwangi, Sheikh Mohamed and others accused Members of the County Assembly of blackmailing the Governor by demanding Sh20 million each to withdraw the motion.

While threatening to go the ‘Makueni way’ the residents implored Governor Iria not to give in to the demands of the MCAs and accused them of being self-centred.

Two days ago, the Murang’a County Assembly 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 for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office.

They say Iria has violated the Constitution by allegedly flouting provisions on procurement and management of public funds and that despite setting ceilings to regulate expenditure by the Executive, they had been disregarded.

They cited recommendations in the Auditor General’s report which had raised questions over some Sh28 million in the controversial Murang’a Investment Co-Operative Society known as ‘Shilingi Kwa Shilingi’.

They further accused Iria of stifling operations in the County Assembly by withholding their funds.

Already the County Assembly has sent Finance Executive George Kamau packing accusing him of abuse of office, incompetence and misuse of funds.

It will not be the first attempt by a County Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against a Governor.

Embu and Kericho have unsuccessfully attempted to remove their Governors.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Despite recommendation by the Makueni tribunal that the County Assembly be suspended, President Kenyatta said there were no sufficient grounds for the suspension and that “the circumstances must be exceptional and extraordinary for the exercise of the power to extinguish an elected government”.

Efforts to reach Iria for comment were futile as his phone was switched off.

About The Author

Comments
Advertisement

More on Capital News