• Mwangaza said the senator's oversight quest is not genuine and alleged that he is out to malign her as he eyes the governor's seat.
• The only practical thing the Governor can do is to propose Constitutional amendments to remove the role of oversight from the Senators," Murungi said.
Image: Dennis Dibondo
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has accused Senator Kathuri Murungi of plotting an impeachment motion against her, a claim the lawmaker has dismissed.
The two leaders have of late been involved in a war of words with Murungi saying he will form a select a committee to investigate how public funds are being utilised in the county.
But Mwangaza said the senator's oversight quest is not genuine and alleged that he is out to malign her as he eyes the governor's seat.
“He is just hiding with what he is terming as oversight to malign me, he should come out in the public domain and tell residents that he wants to be governor in 2027,” she added.
“He wants to be governor, how can he start campaigning now it is too early to be sincere. I went to the Senate and he is now here coming for me. I cried in the Senate and I was able to save my seat."
Mwangaza spoke on Thursday at Ntonyero dispensary in Central Imenti constituency during a development tour.
But when contacted for comment on Friday, Senator Murungi said there is no law that permits him to institute impeachment proceedings against a governor.
"According to the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, the Senator has no power to impeach a Governor. It is not provided in law. Article 95 of our Constitution gives Senate the responsibility to take resources to Counties and provide oversight to those funds," Murungi said in a text message.
"I said that I will play my oversight role to the letter. The only practical thing the Governor can do is to propose Constitutional amendments through the Senate or National Assembly to remove the role of oversight from the Senators," he added.
Murungi is the deputy speaker of the Senate.
Mwangaza was last year impeached by MCAs before the Senate overturned the move and saved her job.
Barely three months after the county leadership made a truce following the impeachment squabbles, the county boss now claims the senator is hatching another scheme to have her sent home.
She said she does not fear facing Kathuri even if polls were held today.
“I have fought many big battles, I cannot be afraid to face Kathuri Murungi," she said.
Several MCAs who accompanied the governor during Thursday's development tour defended her leadership.
They included Douglas Mutea (Abothuguchi Central) and Patrick Ntururu (Ntima West), Kiagu MCA Simon Kiambi and Kinyua Muna (Nyakia East).
Mutea said the governor should not be intimidated by anyone and should carry on with her mandate as required and bring development to the people.
“They should not intimidate our governor with other impeachment motion if they mean well for Meru,” Mutea said.
Muna echoed Mwangaza's remarks that Murungi is not genuine in his oversight quest.
Since Meru MCAs and Mwangaza buried the hatchet, they have been very close and many MCAS attend the governor's functions and have pledged to support her deliver her development agenda.
Former chief of staff Gideon Kimathi who unsuccessfully vied for Imenti South MP seat called on leaders in Meru to respect Governor Mwangaza.
“Whether we like it or not, the Meru Governor is Kawira Mwangaza, so we must support her,” Kimathi said.
Mwangaza further claimed that Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi is also opposed to his leadership for no apparent reason.
“There is nothing I will do to them, I just leave them to God to deal with them,” she said.
Meru Chief of Staff, Harison Gitonga, said Meru has lost Sh2 billion in the division of revenue saying the senator failed to support addition of funds to counties.
Image: Dennis Dibondo