Laikipia County Executive Committee member for Finance and Economic planning has been impeached by the local County Assembly that has accused him of violating the constitution.
Murungi Ndai, the Finance CEC’s fate was sealed on Thursday after the assembly voted unanimously to remove him from the post accusing him of violating the constitution whereby he allegedly failed to conduct public participation during the making of the 2018/2019 budget making process. All the 21 MCAs present voted for his ouster. Only three were absent.
The MCAs further accused the Finance Chief of irregular employment of county staff, failure to pay employees on time, failure to publish the Finance Act and s pending on unbudgeted trade fairs and Innovation shows.
During the heated afternoon session of the debate on the motion moved by Sosian Ward MCA, Jacob Edong, the ward representatives averred that the finance chief had to vacate the post to allow for a probe into all the allegations he was facing.
Tigithi ward MCA, John Mutahi while supporting the ouster motion of the embattled CEC wondered how the county government had failed to pay workers’ salaries for last month yet the assembly had passed a budget for the wages to a tune of Sh. 2.4 billion for this financial year.
“We need to be told where money meant for paying salaries went to as workers go without pay. This could be interpreted that the funds have been misappropriated and that’s why employees are crying,” Mutahi told the House.
The Marmanet ward rep, Simon Kanyutu, noted that the Finance chief had approved purchase of luxury vehicles by the county government yet the assembly had proposed for the purchase of graders and other road construction equipment.
“This house had proposed for purchase of graders to improve our road network especially in remote areas but what we’re witnessing is that only new high end vehicles that are being bought yet residents are suffering due to poor roads. This culture of impunity must come to an end.” Kanyutu said.
His Nanyuki ward counterpart, Veronica Ikunywa accused the CEC of diverting Sh.600 million approved for the health sector and re allocated the same to other functions and also overcharging traders on rates and penalties.
The Deputy Speaker, Daniel Nyausi who chaired the session said that the assembly would a select committee within a week to probe the accusations facing the CEC and later table a report in the house.
If the embattled CEC will be found culpable of the accusations facing him, Governor Ndiritu Muriithi will have no choice but to appoint his replacement who would have to be vetted by the Assembly before approval.
By Martin Munyi
