Kitui leaders’ meeting ends in acrimony as MPs storm out

By PAUL MUTUA

Kitui County: A meeting called to reconcile feuding Kitui MPs and discuss the county’s development agenda ended in confusion and acrimony.

The nine-hour closed-door meeting held at Governor Julius Malombe’s office on Monday yielded no positive result after the leaders differed sharply.

The meeting convened by Senator David Musila was to iron out differences between the governor and other elected leaders in the county.

MPs present were Joe Mutambu (Mwingi central), Mati Munuve (Mwingi North), Rachael Nyamai (Kitui South), Mutua Muluvi (Kitui East), Bishop Robert Mutemi (Nominated), Bernard Kitungi (Mwingi West) and county women representative Nyiva Mwendwa. Absent with apology was Kitui West MP and Minority Leader in National Parliament Francis Nyenze.

Mutambu, Nyenze and a section of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) had launched a campaign to remove the governor from office, accusing him of being detached and working in isolation.

Mutambu came out of the meeting furious and issued an ultimatum that Dr Malombe withdraw an alleged bullying remark he made inside the meeting.

The Wiper MP said the governor had 14 days to withdraw the alleged grievous remark against those opposed to his leadership or brace for the wrath of the electorate after expiry of the ultimatum.

Earlier on, Musila had told the press that the meeting had come up with six developmental benchmark themes, including that MPs to work harmoniously with the governor and other elected leaders in the county.

The senator said they held frank discussions and nothing was put under table. He, however, downplayed differences between Mutambu and Dr Malombe.