Tharaka Nithi Deputy Governor Francis Nyamu Kagwima has declared himself the acting county governor following the prosecution of his boss Muthomi Njuki over irregular awarding of the Ksh34.9 million solid waste project.
Speaking to the press, Kagwima claimed that he had taken over the running of county affairs after the court barred Muthomi from accessing the county headquarters.
"The Constitution and the law governing devolution say if one is charged in a court of law, they have to step aside and can only come back if cleared," he stated.
"Now I am the acting governor of the county, in terms of county government administration, there is and will continue to be one centre of command and that will remain under my command to ensure delivery of services," Nyamu continued.
The Deputy Governor further stated that any communication from the county would have to be authorised by him.
"Functions of the county will continue normally and services will be available to the people and will be delivered diligently," he stated.
Nyamu stated that the only functions he would not perform were the hiring and firing of staff.
A section of residents stood outside the county government headquarters where they prayed for the Deputy Governor and sang songs of praise.
Njuki's communication director, Simon Kobia, has since indicated that the governor will continue discharging his mandate.
"The governor was released on cash bail and barred from working from his Kathwana office. This means that HE Muthomi Njuki is still the governor of Tharaka Nithi County and he is allowed to continue executing his mandate as stipulated in the County Governments Act 2012 Section 30 (2)(a), that allows him to diligently execute the functions and exercise the authority provided for in the Constitution and legislation.
"We advise the people of Tharaka Nithi to remain calm and respect the decision made by the court to create an enabling environment for the case to continue well as required by law," reads an excerpt of the statement.
