Wambora when he was sworn in on Friday/CORRESPONDENT
EMBU, Kenya, Aug 19 – Embu Governor Martin Wambora was on Friday sworn in to serve a second term, making a passionate appeal to county MCAs to reject Speaker Kariuki Mate, saying he could impeach him again.
He urged the MCA to elect a person he could work with to avoid squabbles that characterised his first term, leading to his twin impeachment.
Addressing a well attended inauguration ceremony at Embu Stadium, Wambora said he was happy that five of “the six gangster” involved in his impeachments had been rejected at the ballot and hoped to have an easy time.
“Five of the six member gang that tormented me have been rejected at the ballot. Only one is remaining and I hope the MCAs will deal with him. The electorate did a good thing by rejecting those who were dividing us. I got overwhelming support from the members of public and it gave me the strength to go on. I had the support of 600,000 residents and the six didn’t really bother me,” he said.
Wambora who was sworn in by Justice Robert Limo in presence of Embu Chief Magistrate Maxwell Gicheru vowed to enhance equity among the various sub-counties in employment and fire those who don’t deliver.
He appealed to the 20 elected MCAs to back his preferred choice, Josiah Thiriku and threatened to expose those who were supporting Mate.
“I know five of you are supporting the person who derailed us. When I open the Assembly on Tuesday, I will expose those people so that members of public can know them,” warned Wambora.
Wambora who was sworn in by Mr Justice Robert Limo in presence of Embu Chief Magistrate Maxwell Gicheru/CORRESPONDENT
Public Service, Youth and Gender CS Sicily Kariuki, Deputy Governor David Kariuki, Senator Njeru Ndwiga and MPs Eric Muchangi (Runyenjes), John Muchiri (Manyatta) and Geoffrey King’ang’i of Mbeere South who were present pledged to support him.
“Embu is an immensely blessed county but for the past five years, we have only seen chaos. We will support you where we can,” said Kariuki.
Muchiri and Ndwiga urged Senator Lenny Kivuti to stop his intention of lodging an appeal against Wambora’s election.
“He should stop saying that he was rigged. Who rigged him out, where was he? I am glad that those who were leading in fights have been ejected by the people. They spent a lot of money but the electorate were wiser,” Muchiri said.
Wambora who is widely regarded as the ‘governor with the proverbial nine lives’ after surviving two impeachments has overcome numerous challenges to survive re-election.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi, outgoing Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire, Kivuti, Mbeere North MP Muriuki Njagagua, Mate and a host of MPs were all seen to be against him and even supported his ejection.
Muturi and Mate were vocal in campaigning for Mbarire in her failed gubernatorial bid.
Wambora successfully challenged his impeachment in court and went on to beat Mbarire in Jubilee Party nominations.
Coincidentally, Mate had declared that he would not contest the Speaker’s post if Wambora was elected but has since extended an olive branch to him, and pledged to work with the governor.
“Voters do not make mistakes. Therefore, it is obvious that the opinion I have previously held of Governor Wambora is a minority opinion. I am a firm democrat with great respect for the voice of the people that they get to express only once every five years.
“I wish to sincerely congratulate Governor Martin Wambora on his reelection, and urge him to give his best in the service of the people of Embu. I equally appeal to Sen Lenny Kivuti to concede and help Governor Wambora to demonstrate that, uninterrupted, he can deliver satisfactory services to the Embu people,” wrote Mate.
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