MPs, governors supremacy wars ahead of 2017

Governors are grappling with a new wave of rebellion orchestrated by Members of Parliament, which has sparked supremacy war in the counties.

After surviving impeachments in the County Assemblies, the MPs have become the new thorn in the flesh for county bosses in South and Central Rift Valley.

MPs eyeing gubernatorial seats in the 2017 elections are spearheading the onslaught in several counties in an attempt to discredit the governors as they prepare to launch their bids.

In Nyandarua, Narok, Nakuru and Bomet counties the legislators are giving governors sleepless nights.
Nyandarua Governor Daniel Waithaka Mwangi was at one time forced to leave a development meeting in a huff after fiery speeches by local MPs turned residents against him.

The meeting at Ol Kalou attended by MPs David Kiaraho (Ol’Kalou), JM Waiganjo (Ol’joro-Orok), Samuel Gichigi (Kipipiri) and Waweru Nderitu (Ndaragwa) was disrupted for hours as the governor’s and MPs’ supporters exchanged words.

The MPs accused the Governor of sidelining local leaders in development projects and challenged him to explain how more than Sh3.7 billion allocated to the county government had been spent. “Clearly we are ashamed of how our county is being run. Instead of the governor coming to listen to our agenda he is concentrating on sideshows,” said Waweru.

But the Governor dismissed claims of corruption and embezzlement of Sh61 million allocated to the county government by the Transition Authority for construction of County Government offices during the 2013/14 financial year.

“My administration received Sh61 million from TA and of the cash we have spent Sh20 million. The rest of the money is intact and we shall hold the ground-breaking ceremony for the county headquarters soon,” said the governor.

He said it is pointless to ask him to account for funds given to his administration by the national government when the MPs had done nothing to account for the CDF kitty under their watch.

Occasionally protests organised by MPs have at times turned violent with police being forced to disperse demonstrators in Bomet and Narok.

Analysts attribute growing opposition to governors to failure to have them held accountable by the County Assemblies where impeachment motions have flopped despite claims of mismanagement of funds.

Demonstrations

In Nakuru, Governor Kinuthia Mbugua has been on the receiving end of some MPs for allegedly leading an administration insensitive to the needs of residents. Nakuru East MP David Gikaria and Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri have not been in agreement with the governor on several issues including relocation of hawkers and spending of public funds.

Mr Gikaria and Mr Ngunjiri have used public forums and the media to attack the governor and demand for  accountability. But MCAs have accused the MPs of overstepping their mandate.

“The MPs have no business purporting to offer checks and balance to the county they should instead focus their energy in the National Assembly where it is needed,” Nakuru Majority Leader Samuel Waithuki said.

In Narok, two people were killed during a demonstration against Governor Samuel Tunai organised by MPs three months ago. MPs led by Senator Stephen ole Ntutu who are opposed to the Governor have claimed the County Assembly was compromised after their bid to oust Mr Tunai failed.

The governor, who has since been cleared by Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC) enjoys the support of majority MCAs including Speaker Nick Kamwaro.

Tunai’s counterpart and outspoken former Council of Governors Chairman Isaac Ruto has also been facing protests from a group opposed to his management style.

MPs accuse the governor of sidelining them even after they demanded for proper consultations on the suitable site for construction of the first public university in the county.

In one of the incidents Bomet Central MP Ronald Tonui led a demonstration against the governor before police moved into to disperse the group. The Bomet Governor wants the university to be set up in Sigor town while other lawmakers Sotik MP Joyce Laboso, Tonui and Bomet East MP Bernard Bett prefer within the county’s headquarters.

Battle of the Rutos

Ruto has been under attack from local MPs who accuse him of undermining Deputy President William Ruto’s leadership.

Supporters of the two groups early this year clashed in Bomet town following a demonstration called by the MPs to push for the university to be located at the headquarters.

But the governor read politics in the demonstrations against him blaming the Deputy President for pushing for dissent in the county.

“We have known who the true supporters of devolution are. We are aware of meetings that have been held with the sole aim of undermining governors in the South Rift,” said Ruto.

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