Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru has appealed to residents to uphold peace and resist any attempt by a section of leaders to create a wedge among them.
She urged locals to ignore those propagating divisive politics and violence following reports that the said leaders were going around the county inciting the youth to riot to settle selfish political score.
“I am urging the residents to stay put and let the law take its course, I am aware that they are trying to paint me in bad light by creating a picture that I had lost touch with the ground which was not the case” she said
The governor said some three people who were involved in rioting at Kithure have been identified and arrested.
She urged the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to carry out thorough investigations into the scheme and establish those behind the current wave of political hooliganism in the area.
Pics by Irungu Mwangi
Waiguru said that some of the “known suspects” on the police watch lists were already fidgety of the ongoing probe and were feigning their innocence by claiming that they were being targeted to attract public sympathy.
“It could be possible some of these MCAs claiming some leaflets containing warnings to them being circulated in several parts of the county might have been behind this move and am calling upon the DCI to investigate the matter and bring any one involved to book, “she said.
She wondered how arsonists said to have petrol bombed the home of the Mutira Ward MCA Kinyua wa Wangui at his Kanjii village home did not start with his house but his cow shed if indeed he was being targeted as claimed.
The governor said she was committed to peace and dismissed those trying to link her with the arson attack that their attempts was misplaced and doomed to fail.
“At this age and time, these kind of politics are outdated and have no place in our county and anyone one trying to bring such barbaric behavior will not be tolerated, “she said.
Speaking to the media at her Kagio town home during a hastily convened press conference, the governor asked Kinyua to go and report the matter to the DCI’s office to facilitate a thorough investigations.
Waiguru accompanied by seven MCAs who have since decamped from their colleagues who were agitating for the impeachment of the governor criticized the leaders for engaging in sideshows at a time when the nation was grappling with fight against Covid 19.
Nominated MCA Lucy Njeri, who was present at the press briefing, claimed she has been threatened by a person well known to her through a phone call.
She said she had since reported the matter to the DCI and named the said person she alleges to have made the threatening call for further action.
“I have been labeled a traitor and a disgrace to Mutira people for the stand I have taken to support the governor but this does not deter me since am here to stay in this Ward,” she said.
Other MCAs present at the media briefing were Kefa Kariuki and Maurine Muthoni, (both nominated), Antony Munene of Karumandi, his Kabare counterpart Patrick Comba and his Njukiini Fredrick Bundi and Kangai’s John Gitari.
The county Jubilee chairman Muriithi Kang’ara who was also present urged the MCAs to abandoned the impeachment crusade and join Waiguru in her bid to make Kirinyaga great.
“It is saddening to note that instead of our MCAs working for the good of the people as was happening in other counties, they were busy politicking as if we were in an electioneering period, “he noted.
He said he was determined to bring on board all the area elected leaders to chaat way forward and resolve emerging differences and forge ahead as a united front for the common good of the people of Kirinyaga.
Already Ngariama Ward MCA Mathew Ireri and his nominated colleague Rose Njeru who have been threatened by the contents of leaflets circulating in the area for allegedly not supporting the governor have recorded their statements.
By Irungu Mwangi
