Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga is on the spot over signage that has since gone viral on social media, even drawing criticism from his own deputy Caroline Karugu.
The signage about the construction of a pit latrine in Konyu Ward, Mathira Sub-county had the governor's name plastered on the top, sparking backlash from many quarters.
“I wish to disassociate from these persistent cheap publicity stunts and I consider them extremely unfortunate and ill-advised. Even the mere contemplation of such stunts is a total abuse of the intelligence of the people of Nyeri County,” she wrote on her official Facebook page.
The choice of words used by the deputy governor pointed to a brewing rivalry between the two leaders. Her description of “persistent cheap publicity stunts” meant that she had noted a pattern that irked her.
Kenyans.co.ke delved to establish the relationship between the two and found out that as recent as May, residents of Nyaribo in Nyeri, where the deputy comes from, staged protests against the construction of a dumpsite.
John Wanjau, an activist explained that “The locals were agitated by the county government's decision to put up the dumpsite just meters from the DG’s rural home.”
Many residents have observed that there seems to be a cold war between the two.
The dispute began at the end of last year and has been silently brewing. Some aides of the governor are uncomfortable with Ms. Karugu, saying she is being fueled by "political ambitions,” Eric Makara a local politician stated.
The deputy governor’s personal assistant’s contract was not renewed and Kenyans.co.ke learned that he had not been paid for six months.
Caroline’s office at the county headquarters is also said to be closed for renovations but her supporters read malice in the closure.
Just recently, the two leaders have been spearheading the fight against Covid-19 on different fronts without involving each other.
Governor Kahiga secured 13,000 litres of hand sanitizer from Kibos Sugar Company and repackaged it into small containers bearing his image, for which he received backlash and criticism from his deputy.
“Jack Ma has donated PPEs and ventilators worth billions to Africa. We are forever grateful for his generosity. What baffles me more than the kind gesture, is how he chose to go about this donation with no publicity stunts, just a kind heart willing to help.
“Dear CS Mutahi Kagwe, once these donations get to you, kindly send them directly to the individual users. Please minimize the "in-between’” Karugu posted on her official Facebook page.
