No one has been bribed, Speaker says as Taita MCAs plan ouster bid
The Taita Taveta County Assembly leadership has denied claims that the House has been compromised by the executive and is unable to effectively play its oversight role.
This comes amid fierce infighting over the budget and Cabinet positions.
Deputy Speaker Chrispus Tondoo rejected Majority Leader Jason Tuja’s claims that Governor Granton Samboja had “pocketed” some MCAs and undermined the constitutional provisions of separation of powers.
“Oversight does not mean harassing the executive. We should work hand in hand to enable the administration to deliver, because we are both serving the citizens,” he said.
‘MERE RUBBER STAMPS’
But Mr Tuja has maintained that MCAs have allowed themselves to be used as “mere rubber stamps” by the executive, adding that his stand on the matter has made his opponents hatch a plot to remove him from his position.
“I hear they are planning to table a motion to remove me as the majority leader. I will not be intimidated, I will always stand firm for truth,” he said.
Due process, he said, was not followed in the passing of the budget last week.
“The process was hurried and members did not have a chance to scrutinise the document.”
During the signing of the Sh5.7 million 2020/2021 budget, the governor met with some MCAs, joining Speaker Meshack Maghanga in pledging a stronger partnership between the two arms of government.
IMPEACHMENT TALK
But talk is rife of an impending impeachment motion targeting two senior officials in Governor Samboja’s administration over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
Defiant MCAs have vowed to proceed with the impeachment of Health Executive John Mwakima and his Lands counterpart Mwandawiro Mghanga.
Some MCAs, who spoke to the Nation on the condition of anonymity, said the two county executives are not off the hook yet.
Mr Mwakima has been accused of overseeing the misappropriation of funds set aside to fight Covid-19 and Sh250 million meant to refurbish hospitals.
Mr Mghanga stands accused of snubbing assembly summons when he was called to shed light on projects undertaken with Sh50 million in World Bank funding.
“He has ignored our queries and snubbed summons,” an MCA said.
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