Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga has been sued at the Labour and Employment Court following a salary row with his Deputy Caroline Karugu.
Karugu, an expert in Investments and finance, filed an application on Tuesday, September 7, where she told the court that she had been forced to use her finances to facilitate government services like fueling her official county government car.
Her lawyer, Harrison Kinyanjui, stated that the rights and freedoms of the DG had been infringed since the halting of her salaries payment of Ksh 685,250 and the closure of her office.
The current Governor, a former teacher and trade unionist, took over the management of the county after the demise of Wahome Gakuru, who died in office three months after being sworn in.
On the other hand, a void was created in the Deputy Governor's office as Kahiga ascended the office of Governor. He was later appointed Karugu in 2018.
"The claimant's office requires assured security, and she was compelled to secure this by her own means for which she incurs a monthly expense of Ksh15,000 without the respondent's regard to her safety or well being as she discharges official county duties," she claimed in her petition.
Justice Nduma Nderi certified the case as urgent with scheduling for a hearing on September 16.
Karugu has not attended county cabinet meetings since November 2019 as recommended by the law.
She further added that her office support staff had been transferred from her office, subjecting her to social ridicule in attempts to hamstring her politically.
Her entertainment and phone allowances have been withheld for a while following the weakening relationship with her boss.
The Deputy Governor wants the county to pay her for the breach of law, special damages of Ksh 442,107 for security costs incurred and general damages with an interest of 27 per cent per annum.
