Fresh wrangles in Meru as Governor Mwangaza falls out with deputy

For a week now, Mwangaza and Mutuma have been seen at a crossroads after one of the deputy governor’s official cars was revoked and his assistant later dismissed. 

It is alleged that this was after Mutuma failed to respond to Mwangaza’s opponents during a funeral ceremony last week.

Although no one has publicly come out to mitigate the disagreement, the county secretary, the governor's assistant and the county executive committee have already criticised the deputy governor for not performing his duties, including not attending cabinet meetings.

The ward representatives, led by the deputy speaker and minority leader, say they have been disappointed by Governor Mwangaza’s leadership, just five months after an attempted impeachment.

They have asked Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to head to the county and resolve the conflict, which they feel is worse than the previous one, and further indicated another plan to impeach Governor Mwangaza.

“We are living in fear under Kawira Mwangaza’s leadership, she has been abusing everyone and we will be in peace when she leaves office,” Mwenda Ithili, leader of the minority in the county assembly, said.

While the county government is in support of a petition to dismiss the county public service board on grounds that it was not well constituted, the ward representatives are in opposition.

They argue that if the board has been serving against the law for over six years now, those employed during this period should be kicked out as well.

“The county secretary is supporting that petition and she should know that if the board was not well-constituted, all those it vetted, including herself, will step out,” Sarah Gakii, one of the ward representatives said.