Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru's fate hangs in the balance as she waits for the Senate to either confirm her ouster or squash the county assembly’s impeachment resolution.
Many reports alleged that her future is in the hands of President Uhuru Kenyatta who is seen to be having a lot of influence over the Senate. Waiguru is President Uhuru's close ally but a video which resurfaced on June 10 leaves much to desire.
The video which was first published in February 2020, showed President Kenyatta addressing Kirinyaga MCAs, asking them to be alert on misuse of funds.
“I don’t know whether MCAs are present,” he stated looking around as they stood in respect. “I can see you, be very alert,” he said before turning to Governor Waiguru and repeating the same, “Be very alert.”
“You can see what is happening in other counties (Kiambu), be careful not to misuse public resources. Be extremely alert or else you’ll be hunted down.
“This money belongs to the public so let them benefit. If they don’t benefit the citizen you (MCAs) also have the right to teach leaders a lesson,” he warned.
In his native Kikuyu language, Kenyatta added, “Why do public officers embezzle money and leave citizens struggling to make ends meet? We cannot leave like that.”
He added that going forward, leaders caught engaging in corruption should not hide behind claims that their community is being attacked.
“Did you steal with members of your community? If you are caught, you shall suffer the consequences alone. That money will be traced and you will be forced to produce it,” President Kenyatta declared.
If the president does not marshal his troops in the Senate to save the Kirinyaga county boss, she could be saved by an existing court order that had stopped her impeachment.
Gender Cabinet Secretary Margret Kobia condemned the impeachment in a letter that was released on June 10.
“It is unfortunate Waiguru's term is being cut short by the alleged impeachment. An indicator that some do not value strong women leadership. We are disappointed that the governor is being disturbed during the fight against Covid-19 which is negatively impacting on socio-economic development of the country,” she regretted.
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