The third speaker of the Nyeri county assembly will be picked from Tetu constituency.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of Governor Mutahi Kahiga on Thursday, Deputy President-elect Rigathi Gachagua said UDA officials in the county were keen on honouring a pre-election agreement where the county’s top seats would have representation from each of the six constituencies.
According to the agreement, Gachagua said, Governor Kahiga who hails from Kieni constituency picked his deputy from Mukurwe-ini while the senator was to come from Mathira constituency.
The woman representative was to come from Othaya constituency while Tetu constituency was to give the speaker to the county assembly.
Gachagua said Kahiga is also expected to nominate a CEC member from Nyeri Town constituency for inclusivity.
“Let me thank the governor for providing the leadership of inclusivity. He called us and proposed that every constituency be represented. What is left is for him to now appoint a CEC from Nyeri Town so that everybody feels part and parcel of government,” he said.
Immediate former Tetu MP James Gichuhi has been fronted to succeed John Kaguchia as speaker of the Nyeri county assembly.
Kaguchia is the MP-elect for Mukurweini constituency.
James Kanyugo, who was re-elected as the Mahiga ward representative has been fronted to retain his post as the assembly’s majority leader.
Nyeri UDA coordinator Lucy Wanyitu told KNA on the phone that UDA leaders have unanimously agreed to support the two candidates for their respective positions and their names had been presented to the county assembly for consideration.
“As party leaders, we unanimously settled on Francis Gichuhi to take up the speaker's position and James Kanyugo to retain his position as majority leader in the assembly," she said.
"These are just proposals, of course more people will present their applications and voting to determine who take up the positions will be done on the floor of the assembly when the governor announces the opening day for the third session.”
During the August 9 elections, UDA clinched 26 out of the 30 seats in the Nyeri assembly. Three of the seats were won by independent candidates, while one went to the ANC party.
The first Nyeri assembly was characterised by disunity between the MCAs and the executive. This led to the county being ranked 45 in development for most of its five years.
Gachagua urged the ward representatives to collaborate with the county executive arm so the county does not lag behind in development. He also asked the ward reps to uphold the legacy set by the second assembly.
