Tharaka Nithi county government could be heading to a serious crisis after the Deputy Governor, Eng. Francis Kagwima reneged on his campaign pledges to support his boss to deliver service to the residents.
In a press conference held at his office in Kathwana on Wednesday, Eng. Kagwima made chilling remarks against the County Governor Muthomi Njuki, implicating him in a myriad of corruption scandals and harassment of county employees.
The resentful DG said that the governor had turned to using public funds carelessly with no regard for accountability and should the situation not be rectified, the county would soon collapse.
He added that county employees had been denied the rights of expression and were living under threats of being sacked if they raised any concern.
“All county employees are intimidated and cannot speak to anyone about anything because they fear being sent packing,” said the deputy governor.
His remarks come following the move by the governor to sack a county CEO via a phone call to the CEO’s driver last week.
However, responding to the claims over the phone, governor Njuki said that his deputy was in a plot to blackmail him and any claims about him should be forwarded to the investigatory authorities for further action.
Eng. Kagwima’s remarks were likely to deepen the rift in the County’s administration as the DG has threatened to rally the public to forcibly eject public service officers who were issuing termination letters to employees from their offices.
He added that beginning on Monday, those who would be served with termination letters without his consent should treat them with contempt as he would not allow such arbitrary sackings where the victims were not given audience.
By Domenic Ntoogo/David Mutwiri
