CS Kuria under fire for defending Governor Mwangaza

Public Service CS Moses Kuria has come under fire from a section of legislators from Meru County for supporting impeached Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

The Six MPs under the Meru Caucus Group accused Kuria of meddling in the affairs of the county and called on President William Ruto to sack him.

Addressing a news conference in Parliament Buildings on Thursday, the group accused the CS of politicking instead of focusing on his work.

“We are telling his excellency the President that the time has come for him to relieve Kuria of his job as a cabinet secretary to allow him to go back and play politics,” Buuri MP Rindiki Mugambi said.

Other MPs were Mpuru Aburu (Tigania East), Rahim Dawood(North Imenti), John Paul Mwirigi (Igembe South) and Julias Taitumu (Igembe North).

On Wednesday, Meru MCAs impeached Kawira, for the second time in less than one year, for allegations of gross violation of the constitution and misconduct.

Soon after the vote, the CS moved to support Kawira whom he said was being frustrated by people hungry for power.

“I stand with Governor Kawira Mwangaza. This is an evil scheme by someone who thinks that the only way to be a Mt Kenya Kingpin is to bring down other leaders not to solve the problems of our people who are getting desperate by the day. History will vindicate me," he said.

Similar sentiments were also shared by Council of Governors chairperson Anne Waiguru who expressed her solidarity with the beleaguered county boss.

Waiguru called on the governor to remain steadfast ahead of the senate hearing.

"Asiye kuwa na wake ana Mungu. I stand with you my sister Kawira Mwangaza. It’s darkest before dawn. Look to the Hills from wherece your help comes from. There is God in Heaven,” posted Waiguru, who also doubles as Kirinyaga governor.

But the MPs took on Kuria accusing him of uttering reckless statements that do not befit his status as a cabinet secretary.

He claimed that should he continue making the said statements, Ruto would soon relieve him of his duties just like he did when he transferred him from the Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry (MITI).

Rindikiri reminded Kuria that he is not a spokesperson of the Meru people and therefore should concentrate on his job as a CS and allow the Meru residents to make their own decisions without any interference.

“Mr Kuria, respect Meru people, respect Meru leaders. We know that because of your reckless speech, you will soon be out of that ministry just like it happened before.”

Aburi told Kuria to come clean on the person he claimed was interested in becoming the Mount Kenya Kingpin.

According to him, residents of Meru did not Impeach Mwangaza because of any influence from certain quarters but did so because they did not believe in his leadership style.

 “Meru people are not afraid. Let me tell you, Mr Kuria, we do not want to fight with you because you are not equal to us, the votes you got in Kiambu are equivalent to what an MCA got.”

Dawood and Mwirigi told Kuria to tame his tongue and stop making statements that are demeaning to Kenyans.

Mwangaza was impeached on Wednesday after fifty-nine MCAs who attended the impeachment sitting voted in favour of the ouster bid.

 “It is my pleasure to announce that ayes have it. The motion has passed and the governor stands impeached by the County Assembly of Meru,” Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi declared.

The Governor survived a previous impeachment in December 2022 after the Senate declined to confirm impeachment charges.

Meru MCA’s have accused Mwangaza of an array of violations including misuse of public funds, gross misconduct, and contempt of court and the County Assembly.

The Governor is also facing allegations of nepotism for employing her husband’s nephew as the CEO of Mare Youth Service (MYS) and Acting Chief Officer of Finance.