Drama ensued in Murang’a after County Commissioner, Gumo Karugu, and other dignitaries stormed out of a meeting following a bitter confrontation with Maragua Member of Parliament, Mary Wamaua Waithira.
Karugu, with a host of other local leaders, including local administrative officers, walked out after Wamaua castigated them over executing their duties.
Wamaua, who was elected on United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket, reportedly reprimanded the county commissioner for serving vested interests at the expense of all Murang’a residents, irrespective of their political affiliations.
The second term MP further rebuked the county commissioner and local authorities as crowds cheered while they walked away from the Thursday, September 30 event.
Confirming the incident, Wamaua explained that it was during a prayer dedication ceremony for the newly opened Kenol Law Courts.
“County Commissioner Murang’a – Karugu – stormed out of a prayer dedication ceremony minutes after I implored the security agencies in the Sub-County/County to cultivate good relations with wananchi in service delivery going forward,” she claimed.
The UDA legislator echoed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who had accused local administrative officers in the Mt Kenya region of serving political interests.
During the campaign period, Gachagua sustained attacks on outgoing Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i for attempting to lure chiefs to rally behind Azimio la Umoja One Kenya chief, Raila Odinga, in the August polls.
He also dragged Interior Principal Secretary into the fallout noting, accusing him of being under instructions from former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“I want to tell Matiang’i and Kibicho that if the president has tried to coerce us to join Azimio, we have refused; they are now planning that chiefs and their assistants force you to elect Raila, will it be possible?” the second in command posed while addressing residents.
However, Matiang’i refuted the allegations maintaining that the meeting with chiefs and other local leaders was meant to prepare them in assisting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) during the electioneering period.
In his farewell message, Matiang’i further detailed that the security sector had played a key role in the polls despite criticism.
“Despite immense criticism, scorn and false accusations of scheming to manipulate and interfere with the General Election, our sector put up a stellar and professional performance in supporting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct the General Election,” he stated.
“The just-concluded Presidential petitions and the subsequent ruling did not indict our expansive team across the country any wrongdoing. This affirms our collective professionalism and due diligence to duty. Equally, it is my conviction that those tasked with facilitating the smooth transition to the next administration will exhibit similar professionalism,” he added.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE
