Jubilee and Kanu Party officials in Kirinyaga Branch have joined the impeachment motion against Governor Ann Waiguru calling on the Senate to ensure fairness and justice.
The Kanu’s Branch Organizing Secretary, Moses Waweru said it was unfair for leaders in support of the embattled governor to bring the gender issues as her defense saying the charges against her should be dealt based on merit.
“We are not against women leadership but we are behind our President on the fight against graft. Bringing gender issues in the purge against graft is trivializing the war on corruption,” Waweru said.
He told the Senate that the President is on record that he will never support anyone implicated in corruption and cautioned ODM party leaders for their perceived interest in the matter.
ODM’s Junet Mohammed has been in the media, claiming opposition Senators will back the governor and shield her from impeachment.
The Organizing Secretary for the ruling Jubilee Party, Martin Muthiga said any move by a section of the Senators to shield the governor from the accusations tabled by the County Assembly will be resisted by all means.
“Any secret plan to shield the governor from fair trial is illegal and must be investigated, we join our leaders in calling for a plenary session on impeachment,” he added.
The House Business Committee which is chaired by Speaker Kenneth Lusaka last week recommended for a committee to deliberate on the matter but the recommendation will be tabled today (Tuesday) for approval or rejection.
If the proposal is rejected, the impeachment process will be discussed by the whole house and if it is approved an 11-member committee will commence the hearing but will table their findings in Senate sometime next week
The Vice Secretary KANU, Moses Mugo said the county did set a record by electing a woman as the governor and therefore should not be seen as opposed to women leadership.
“We are not against our governor Waiguru but we are saying she should be cleared of the accusations the Assembly has heaped on her, if she is cleared we welcome her back’ Mugo said.
He said all what the Kirinyaga people want is for the governor to have a fair hearing devoid of external interference.
“We are against those leaders who have come openly claiming they will not support the impeachment of the governor, why can’t they let her speak for herself? Mugo wondered.
He said that is the main reason the majority of Kirinyaga people prefer that the impeachment motion be carried out in the plenary and involve all the senators.
The Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chairperson Kirinyaga County, Diana Wanja on her part said they worked very hard to ensure women were in leadership positions but their work was not to support them as they did wrong.
“If women are to be seen leading in activities such as corruption people may not want to elect them once more that is why we do not support those of us found guilty,”‘she said.
Wanja said women in leadership should be role models in the management of the resources bestowed upon them by the public
“We are not yet convinced of Waiguru’s misdeed and this is why we look forward to the senate to exonerate her from the accusations” Wanja said.
By Irungu Mwangi
