Storm in Meru as Governor Mwangaza falls out with Deputy

A storm is brewing in Meru County following an apparent fallout between Governor Kawira Mwangaza and her Deputy Mutuma M’Ethingia.

Mutuma has now accused his boss of gross incompetence saying the governor has been demeaning his office.

He said he is not facilitated in his movement to inspect projects and that officers working in his office are sacked illegally.

"My PA, office administrator and some other staff were fired," Mutuma spoke on Sunday at his Maua farm.

MwangazA has however disputed the allegations describing them as a "fightback of corruption". She added that no coin will be lost during his era as governor.

A section of Meru MCAs led by Nominated MCA Kiriinya Mwenda and former MCA Julius Mbijiwe and Mutuma Kalembe are now calling upon the President to move with speed and mend ties between the two leaders before things get out of hand.

Kiriinya said Mutuma has been silent enough that he has resorted to exposing the irredeemable relationship between him and his boss.

‘Okolea has been weaponized to fight MCAs who do not toe the line of the Governor. I plead with the President to intervene because we are headed in the wrong direction. Kawira never involves other leaders, she is a lone ranger who feels she should be worshipped,” Kiriinya said.

Mutuma said the Governor does not inform him about county meetings which he sometimes attends after getting hints using his own means.

“The official meeting happened without my knowledge. There has been no communication as it was cut off for almost three months. I do not even attend the Cabinet meetings because am never invited," Mutuma said.

"I was not facilitated to attend the President’s meeting with all Mt Kenya leaders at Sagana State Lodge. The other key meeting that I missed not because of my choice as I would not be able to pay a one week rent for my staff was the Devolution Conference,”

Mutuma said pressure is being mounted for him to quit, a matter he says has affected him.

“I had 94 kilos when we were sworn in but by August, I had reduced to 78 kilos. My car was taken away by the political adviser," Mutuma said.

I am never recognized. No facilitation to run my office since April to date. I kept quiet avoiding shame since she was impeached. I was never consulted on chief officers or CECs appointment.”