We are being discriminated, say Mwangaza assembly allies

Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard

Meru MCAs allied to Governor Kawira Mwangaza have claimed that they are being discriminated against by their colleagues.

Meru County Assembly has 69 MCAs but only 13 are close to Ms Mwangaza. They claimed the assembly leadership views them as traitors.

They said they have been sidelined in matters affecting the House and the county at large.

Among the 13 is Mitunguu MCA Evans Mawira who tabled an impeachment motion against the governor before the two reconciled after the Senate overturned Mwangaza's impeachment.

Others are Kiagu ward representative Kiambi Ngaruni, John Muguna (Mbeu), Joshua Mithiaru (Naathu), Kinyua Muuna (Nyaki East) and Douglas Mutea (Abothoguchi Central).

Nominated MCAs Frida Naitore and Ruth Kananu also support Governor Mwangaza.  The Executive and the Assembly are embroiled in supremacy wars.

Mawira said MCAs against the governor dislike those close to her. Mawira was ousted as Majority Leader when he decamped to Mwangaza’s camp.

Mr Ngaruni said they felt ostracized and that they seldom participated in debates, electing to stay away from the chambers because they felt they were fighting a lost cause.

"When they want to pass anything in the Assembly they mobilise and do it because they have the numbers. We are 13 and the rest are 56 and they oppose every plan the governor has," he said.

He accused the Assembly leadership of taking sides instead of adopting a neutral position.

Ngaruni said they go to the assembly to register their attendance before going back to their respective wards to serve people due to the hostile environment they have been subjected to at the assembly.

"You cannot stay there knowing that your voice will not matter, but you have to attend assembly because if you miss eight consecutive sittings the Speaker can declare your seat vacant," Ngaruni said.

The Assembly Majority Whip Jim Muchui (Athwana-UDA) and Minority Leader Mwenda Ithili trashed accusations that pro-Mwangaza ward reps were being discriminated against.

Mr Muchui said: "All important county issues happen in the gazetted assembly sitting sessions and in various assembly committees. No one has ever been barred from accessing the chambers, besides, every MCA sits in at least four assembly committees," he said.

He added: "If the complaint is about social events, then they should be made to understand that it is not the responsibility of the assembly leadership to invite them to personal social events such as weddings, dowries, birthdays and baby showers involving other members. Social events are purely personal and people are invited by hosts. They should stop being cry babies and join other members in working for the people of Meru."

Mr Ithili accused ward reps allied to Mwangaza of skipping sessions saying: "These people rarely come to the assembly. They are always either in the executive offices or accompanying the governor."