Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga is starting on a low key and it is all his fault. We all know that Nyeri lost its immediate former governor through a fatal road crash and we are yet to bury him.
One would like to ask why the rush to swear another governor into office when the people of Nyeri are yet to bury the late elected leader. I understand that Kahiga’s secretariat is yet to settle in office but that cannot be reason enough to send invites to the 46 governors to attend the Monday ceremony on Sunday evening.
That was wrong, even rude, considering the governors expected to attend are a busy lot and they had every reason to snub his short-notice invite.
From the look of things, the Council of Governors had other plans of swearing the Nyeri governor on another date.
He had to listen to the people of Nyeri and even read the mood of the governors’ council before rushing. To me the snub will serve a good political lesson to Kahiga given that many deputy governors are not considered the political type. Next time he has to read the mood of the people and fellow leaders before proceeding with important functions like swearing-in ceremonies.
READ MORE
How the late James Nderitu Gachagua shared out vast estate
Gachagua furious as late brother's estate is dragged into impeachment battle
In fact, the then deputy governor was protected by the Constitution and there was no need for him to rush to be sworn in in what looked like a solitude venue.
Dishon Nduku is a Nairobi resident.
The move to snub the swearing-in ceremony by the 46 was from the outset ill advised and the excuses given for not attending the ceremony insincere.
The 46 governors have to understand Mutahi Kahiga is like their young brother and they should not behave as though he is a stranger to them.
The snub indicated they were not for his swearing in on the particular day. He may have been quick at making the decision to go on with the swearing in and even delay to invite them; but at the end of the day he is just a governor like them.
I feel that even if a majority missed, then those near Nyeri could have made it to the ceremony to welcome the new governor.
Moving forward the chairman of the governor’s council Josephat Nanok should give a statement on the snub and possibly ask for forgiveness on behalf of the 46. It is sad that he has not personally said anything on the matter.
It is all not lost for Kahiga. First, he must recognise that he is the governor as the Constitution allows him and forget the snubbing mishap. Secondly he has an opportunity to prove himself on the job by doing the job like no other county chief.
Finally he must be quick to find a way of working with the governor’s council to make Nyeri great. I believe he will be great.
Julius Abungana is a Bishop with Believers Ministry churches.
