Why Kiambu assembly majority leader's ouster should worry Wamatangi

Kiambu County Assembly on August 11 ousted Godfrey Waiyaki Mucheke as the majority leader and accused him of sabotaging the house business by “going to bed” with the executive.

Over 45 members out of 60 approved the motion and replaced him with Limuru East member Paul Macharia. Mucheke was accused of being Wamatangi’s point man in the assembly.

Cleophas Malala, Secretary-General of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), released a statement to media outlets, citing allegations of grave misconduct in office as the driving force behind the removal of the majority leader.

Speaking to Star Newspaper on Wednesday, Muceke (ousted majority leader) said his removal was illegal and the matter is already in court thus he can’t comment further.

“I always grant media interview freely but let me not talk about this one as the matter is in court," he said.

Kiambu Assembly Speaker Charles Thiong’o promised to call back noting he was in a meeting in Nakuru for inter-county games but he never honoured the promise by the time of going to press.

“I will call you back, Currently I’m in Nakuru for inter-Counties sports activities," he said.

Kiambu senator Karungo Thang’wa in an interview said that the ouster motion of the majority leader should worry Governor Kimani Wamatangi noting that he might be targeted indirectly.

Karungo recalled the impeachment of former governor Ferdinand Waititu noting that the assembly first outed then majority leader Anthony Ikonya.

“I wouldn’t advocate for the removal of Wamatangi from office but if I were him, I would be very worried considering the same process was used to impeach Waititu. They ousted majority leader Anthony Konya and later Waititu,” Karung’o said.

He said that he isn’t aware of any motion to impeach Wamatangi but there must be a sinister move as in politics things don't just happen, they are planned.

He further maintained his earlier sentiment that Wamatangi is operating illegally as he hasn't constituted his government fully noting that he is operating without substantive County Chief officers as well as the County secretary proving enough ground for impeachment.

He noted that the governor should be worried further considering that the UDA party through the secretary general has ratified the changes of the assembly leadership.

Political analyst-cum-Star columnist Albert Kasembeli also said that the ouster of the majority leader might be part of a larger plot to impeach Governor Kimani Wamatangi.

“Beneath this ouster motion of majority leader, lay a complex web of power struggles and a grander scheme to impeach Governor Kimani Wamatangi,” Kasembeli said.

He noted that Wamatangi hasn’t been having a cosy relationship with MCAs recalling June this year's meeting between deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, Kiambu members of parliament, and Wamatangi.

Gachagua instructed the leaders to work together for the socioeconomic development of the devolved unit and further promised to unite Wamatangi with MCAs.

The meeting between Gachagua, Wamatangi, and members of the assembly hasn’t taken place yet.

Former Kiambu majority leader Anthony Ikonya echoed Senator Karungo's sentiment noting that he (Ikonya) was ousted from the house leadership to pave the way for impeachment of Waititu.

“The ouster of the current majority leader was a well-calculated political move, echoing tactics that had been used before during my tenure to ouster me from office,” Ikonya said.

Nominated MCA Wanjiku Muturi dismissed claims of an imminent impeachment plot.

She clarified that their recent actions sought to secure the ratification of changes in Kiambu's leadership structure, emphasizing the aim of achieving effective oversight in the executive branch.

 “We do not have any malice in what we are demanding. There is no other shortcut but changing the leadership of the majority party in the assembly,” Nominated MCA Wanjiku Muturi stated.

Gatang’ora MCA Dan Gitau Kuria claimed the party leadership has been compromised.

“When you raise any concern about the executive, it is construed to mean you are waging a war with the governor,” Gitau stated.

Governor Wamatangi himself had previously alleged a conspiracy against his political standing.

He claimed that political factions were using county assembly members as pawns in a larger game aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

“My opponents are working hard; they are using the county assembly members to tarnish my name. They are paid as little as Sh1,500 per day to achieve the mission,” Wamatangi said.

Efforts to get Governor Wamatangi's perspective proved futile, as his communication officer, Eric Wainaina, redirected inquiries to the assembly speaker, citing an inability to comment on assembly matters.