• Political analyst Albert Kasembeli believes that the impeachment talks have further fractured the Kiambu leadership, exacerbating an already tense situation.
• This comes in the backdrop of an escalating discord between Wamatangi and some MCAs who accuse him of micromanaging the county and operating as a lone ranger.
Image: Kiamwangi MCA, Kung'u Smart
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday met the entire Kiambu leadership to save Governor Kimani Wamatangi from looming impeachment.
They included the governor, MPs and MCAs.
This comes in the backdrop of an escalating discord between Wamatangi and some MCAs who accuse him of micromanaging the county and operating as a lone ranger.
During a recent visit to Kiambu, President William Ruto warned the local leaders of dire consequences if they failed to unite.
On May 30, Gachagua convened a first crisis discussion with Wamatangi and MPs, urging them to set aside their differences and work harmoniously.
This did not bear fruit as an impeachment plot was hatched by MCAs just a month after the DP hosted the MPs.
Gachagua had earlier promised to hold an exclusive meeting with Wamatangi and MCAs but this did not happen and this aggregated their difference as MCAs accused Gachagua of favouring and protecting Wamatangi.
National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung'wah and Senator Karungo Thang’wa had consistently accused Wamatangi of being a lone ranger and micromanaging services in the county.
Political analyst Albert Kasembeli believes that the impeachment talks have further fractured the Kiambu leadership, exacerbating an already tense situation.
He said the Monday meeting with Gachagua will help to heal the past differences noting in case Wamatangi fails to change he might face impeachment just like his Meru counterpart Kawira Mwangaza.
Wamatangi is facing allegations including his failure to nominate a legitimate county secretary, appoint municipal managers, and his independent decision to engage the services of Mauritius Insurance firm instead of retaining the NHIF.
During a church service in Kiambu on Sunday, Gachagua expressed deep regret at the ongoing infighting among the county leadership.
He implored them to put their differences aside and work together for the sake of residents who had entrusted them with power.
Gachagua said Ruto had assigned him the critical duty of unifying Kiambu county's leadership, with a stern warning not to allow the county to descend into the chaos witnessed in Meru county.
"I have invited the Kiambu leaders to understand the root of the problem. We all serve the people of Kiambu, and we were all elected on the UDA ticket. What is the purpose of this infighting?" he questioned.
Ichung’wah, who was present at the meeting, acknowledged that Kiambu was facing a crisis that could no longer be hidden.
The Kikuyu MP said there is need for divine wisdom to confront their challenges truthfully.
"I know you [Gachagua] have called us as Kiambu leadership to your official residence. We cannot pretend that the county doesn't have a problem," he said.
"We thank you for calling us because we have a problem and as leaders, the best we can do is to pray to God to give us the wisdom to be able to confront all our challenges truthfully."
Thang’wa told the Star that not much had changed since their previous meeting with Gachagua and the Kiambu leadership on May this year but expressed optimism for a more successful outcome this time.
He voiced the urgent need to heed the national government's call for cooperation and collaboration, emphasising that the constant infighting had caused Kiambu county to lag behind in terms of development.
“This is the second time we are having a meeting with DP Gachagua in matters Kiambu, we are optimistic that Wamatangi will heed to the national government call and work with everyone for the sake of peace and development," Thang’wa said.
MPs including Alice Ng’ang’a (Thika), Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri), Gabriel Kagombe (Gatundu South) and Githua Wamacukuru (Kabete) have consistently accused Wamatangi of poor leadership.
Wamuchomba laid out a series of accusations against Wamatangi ranging from failing to appoint key municipal managers to permitting an influx of bars and neglecting to provide firefighting equipment in her constituency.
Wamacukuru described Wamatangi as a mere public relations governor who had done little to uplift the county.
On the other hand, the county's ward representatives have continually faced obstacles in their attempts to meet with the governor.
They claim that the governor had aligned himself with a select few elected leaders in the assembly, thereby interfering with the county assembly's operations.
They have called for investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations into the utilisation of public funds under Wamatangi's leadership.
Minority leader and Ngenda MCA Joe Kigara said the meeting was timely.
“We haven’t had such kind of meeting before, it’s timely and we hope it will change and solve the problems we are having in Kiambu,” he said.
Kiamwangi MCA Kungu Smart said the meeting with Gachagua had been productive.
He said they addressed Wamatangi's 'lone ranger' leadership style and his unwarranted interference in county assembly business.
Kung’u expressed the MCAs eagerness to work together for the growth and prosperity of the Kiambu people.
He particularly cited the dire state of development projects, especially roads, emphasising that despite the passage of their budget in the previous financial year, there had been minimal improvement in road accessibility.
“We appreciate the meeting with the DP and we were able to let everything ailing the county and we hope we will find the solution and forget our past misunderstanding," Kung’u said.
Sigona MCA Naphtali Munyaka said Wamatangi should respect the county assembly's oversight role.
He claimed Wamatangi interferences in the assembly affairs, which undermines its independence.
Kikuyu MCA Kamau Boro and other ward reps last week accused Wamatangi of failing to effectively run the county executive.
The MCAs issued a 21-day ultimatum for Wamatangi to respond to the allegations or face potential removal from office.
Wamatangi has frequently pointed a finger at his political opponents, alleging that powerful cartels were conspiring to undermine his administration.
He had even voiced concerns about threats to his personal safety, urging his supporters to pray for him.