Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi has run into hurdles barely three months into office. The governor is facing revolt from a section of MCAs who have rejected half of his cabinet nominees.
Wamatangi has also had run-ins with traders over allocation of stalls in the refurbished Githurai market in Ruiru. He is facing pressure from casual workers who were laid off by the county government after he assumed office.
On Wednesday MCAs rejected five out of 10 cabinet nominees citing lack of experience and requisite qualifications.
The governor will now be forced to go back to the drawing board to replace Nancy Kirumba (Finance, ICT and Economic Planning), Margaret Ruinge (Administration and Public Services), Salome Wainaina (Housing, Physical Planning, Municipal Administration and Urban Development), Elias Mbuthia (Health Services) and Wilfred Mwenda Kiara (Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives Development).
Those who were approved by the county assembly are Bibianne Waiganjo (Education, Gender and Culture and Social Services), David Kuria (Water, Environment, Energy and Natural Resources), Nancy Gichung’wa (Trade, Tourism, Industrialization and Investments), Samuel Kimani (Roads, Transport and Public Works and Utilities) and Ali Korar (Youth, Sports and Communication).
The MCAs rejected the five county executive nominees despite the assembly’s Committee on Appointments report approving all the 10 cabinet nominees as suitable to serve in their respective dockets.
In an interview on Thursday, Wamatangi downplayed the rift with the assembly saying he has been a champion of devolution and his administration will allow the MCAs to work independently.
