Political unrest is returning to Meru County as certain MCAs gear up to initiate impeachment proceedings against Governor Kawira Mwangaza and County Secretary Kiambi Atheru once sessions recommence next week.
This impending clash arises from a growing dispute between Governor Mwangaza and her deputy, Isaac M’Ethingia. Governor Mwangaza also finds herself the target of political criticism from other figures such as Senator Kathuri Murungi and several Members of Parliament.
The governor is currently embroiled in a conflict with Senator Murungi over his recent effort to monitor the county executive via a shadow cabinet. Furthermore, the senator has arranged a meeting of all elected leaders this Saturday, which bears local political implications.
Meanwhile, a faction of MCAs, including Deputy Speaker Ali Mwenda and Minority Leader Mwenda Ithili, took the governor to task on Tuesday. They criticized what they termed as her autocratic governance and her unwillingness to “change her ways,” despite the impeachment attempt in the previous year.
They charge the governor with exploiting her executive members to belittle and undermine the deputy governor, as well as intimidating county staff.
The deputy speaker made a plea to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to reignite negotiations, cautioning that the county government was teetering on the brink of collapse.
“We’ve come to alert the presidency that the issues that led us to the Senate last year persist. The governor’s leadership style is divisive. The mediation team needs to reconvene,” stated Mr Ali, who is also the MCA for Njia.
He alleged that MCAs attempting to scrutinize the government are victimized and their constituencies are deprived of development initiatives.
“We also contend with a County Secretary who behaves autocratically,” he added.
Mr Ithili, also the Akithii MCA, asserted that 65 MCAs support them and would move to impeach the governor if she does not improve her leadership approach.
“The governor lacks leadership competencies and is solely preoccupied with the 2027 political race. She’s been targeting any leader she perceives as a threat. We will initiate proceedings by impeaching the county secretary next week,” Mr Ithili declared.
Nominated MCA Ms Sarah Gakii accused the executive of backing a citizen’s petition to dissolve the county public service board on the grounds of it not being appropriately constituted.
Governor Kawira Mwangaza, however, insists that the opposition she faces is due to her strict stance on the management of county resources.
Last week, executive members publicly criticized the deputy governor, blaming him for failing to defend the government.