Residents ready for Makueni County government suspension

Makueni leaders have said they are ready should the county government be suspended.

Their position came as it emerged a task force that investigated leadership wrangles had recommended to the President to suspend the government.

If the report, which was handed over to President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday, is adopted by the Senate, it would lead to a 90-day suspension of the county government.

It is believed that the report recommends suspension citing irreconcilable differences between the assembly and the executive.

Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr said it was unfortunate the two arms of the county government blew an opportunity to reconcile before matters came to where they are now.

He, however, said he was not surprised by the commission's report because majority of the residents were pushing for the dissolution.

"I am not surprised at all. Before the commission wound up its sittings, the assembly and the executive were asked whether they could consider resolving their differences amicably. The offer was declined," Mr Kilonzo said.

After the commission left, the warring parties, however, struck a working formula and seemed to have buried their differences.

Their hope now lies with the Senate, which according to Article 192 of the Constitution, might terminate the suspension of the county government if there are credible reasons to do so, before the expiry of 90 days.

County Assembly Majority Leader Francis Mutuku told The Standard that both sides were planning to exploit that opportunity by lobbying the Senate to overturn the recommendations of the commission.