2017 - None Performing Governors would Go Home SEVERAL Governors are grappling with political turbulence in their backyards, dealing a blow to their development agenda only two years to the next general election. The political turmoil affects county chiefs on both sides of the political divide, including outspoken Council of Governors chairman Isaac Rutto. Some of the worst-hit county governments are Machakos, Makueni, Kiambu and Narok, where dialogue appears to have failed, with leaders resorting to rowdy protests, threats and even fistfights. In troubled Embu county, Governor Martin Wambora could well be sent home if the High Court rules that his dramatic impeachment by both the county assembly and the Senate was procedural. Yesterday, Council of Governors Secretary Ken Lusaka warned the instability would derail development plans, creating the impression that devolution was not such a robust idea after all. Devolution is a process and not a one-time affair. As pioneers, we are bound to make mistakes, the Bungoma Governor said. Leaders should understand and support us. Otherwise, we may just play into the hands of the centrists who want devolution to fail. In Machakos, for example, Senator Johnstone Muthama is spearheading the impeachment of Governor Alfred Mutua with a view to having his deputy Bernard Kiala installed. The acrimony that is threatening to cripple the county unit - initially touted as the most viable devolution arrangement - was exemplified last Wednesday, after Kialas supporters clashed with county inspectorate officers in a confrontation that resulted in an elderly woman breaking her legs. In Kiambu, Thika Town MP Alice Nganga and her Kikuyu counterpart Kimani Ichungwa have threatened to initiate the recall of Governor William Kabogo. For two days over the weekend, violent protests rocked Makongeni Market in Thika over high levies, leaving one person dead and several others injured. We are only giving him two months, warned Nganga during the protest. We will soon come for your signatures and send him [Kabogo] home. Residents and a faction of leaders have vehemently opposed a controversial Finance Bill, whose implementation would see an increase in market charges, shop license fees and burial charges in government cemetries. In Makueni county, things are almost at a standstill, especially after the IEBC gave President Uhuru Kenyatta the green light to form an independent commission to look into the possible suspension of the government. The public spat between Governor Rutto and a number of MPs over the site of the proposed Bomet University has also exposed disunity. Rutto, who is the face of the clamour for a governors referendum, under the Pesa Mashinani banner, has blamed his party boss and Deputy President William Ruto for his woe Source; Star.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Jan 2015 11:44:08 +0000
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