Governor Kawira Mwangaza to Meet with Meru Leadership for Talks to Seek Truce

In a letter addressed to the leaders, the embattled county boss said the meeting will take place at the governor's official residence boardroom on Thursday, November 3 from 9:00 am.

Key among issues to be discussed is the Ward Fund which the governor says is the major cause of her misunderstanding with the MCAs.

She said she is now ready to discuss the matter and find a lasting solution.

"As you are aware Meru County Government has been experiencing some misunderstanding for a while between the Executive and the Honourable County Assembly.

"Key among the causes of these misunderstandings is the Ward Fund, an issue that was captured in my maiden County Assembly opening speech on Wednesday. 19th October 2022 and even now I am ready to discuss It with the Honourable Members of the County Assembly on Its management and come up with a workable solution," the letter reads in part.

The meeting follows the intervention of the Council of Governors Chairperson Anne Waiguru who held talks with the county assembly leadership and the governor on Friday, October 28.

Waiguru, who doubles up as Kirinyaga governor, is said to have brokered a truce between the county boss and the assembly leadership led by Speaker Ayub Bundi in a series of meetings last week.

"Many leaders with the Interest of Meru people at heart like the Council of Governors led by the Chair Governor of Kirinyaga County. H.E. Ann Waiguru organized a meeting between myself and Meru County Assembly leadership led by Hon. Speaker. Ayub Bundi Solomon on 28th October 2022 in Nairobi to try and resolve the stalemate," she added.

"The purpose of this letter is therefore to invite all the Honourable Members of the Meru County Assembly led by the Hon. Speaker Ayub Bundi. and all the elected Honourable Members of the National Assembly led by their Chair Dr. Mutunga Kanyuithia and Hon. Senator of Meru Kathuri Murungi who is also the Deputy Speaker for a Consultative Meeting on 3rd November 2022 at the Governor's Residence Boardroom from 9.00 A.M."

A leadership tiff pitting the governor and the MCAs have threatened service delivery at the county.

Mwangaza is facing impeachment over what the local leadership has termed as nepotism in appointments.

A Meru resident, Salesio Thuranira, has petitioned MCAs to impeach Governor Mwangaza says she went against the law and claimed some of her appointments had not been subjected to a competitive process and had not received the nod of MCAs.

MCAs have also been on Kawira’s neck saying she did not involve them in county development matters.

But Mwangaza has defended herself against the MCAs “who are against her’’, accusing them of demanding ward development funds.

Yesterday, the Senate downplayed the ongoing Meru leadership saga terming it a minor issue that can be resolved locally.

Led by Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot the senators asked the leaders against escalating the matter to the Senate, saying it is too trivial to require the attention of the House.

“Many of the issues are best resolved in a sitting among the leaders because I don’t believe that barely two months you have quarreled to a point that the issue is irreconcilable. In the interest of the people of Meru, they should resolve their issues within themselves,” Cheruiyot said.