Meru Members of County Assembly (MCAs) walked out on governor Kawira Mwangaza during her maiden speech today citing ignorance.
In video footage seen by journalists, Mwagaza stood at the podium and delivered her statement in a room that was empty except for county officials.
The MCAs ignored her address after complaining that she had rebuffed their attempts to contact her by diverting them to the Deputy Governor.
When arriving at the assembly, she encountered some MCAs who had blocked the entrance.
“I found that they had parked a Probox to block the entrance, so I decided to use the back entrance which was also locked forcing me to access the premises on foot. We had been tipped off that they had armed themselves with clubs, stones, and all forms of weapons” Mwangaza stated.
Sources show that Police had to use tear gas canisters to disperse the throng after fruitless attempts to speak to them in the local dialect. Later, she entered the chambers while being protected by her bodyguard and the sergeant of arms.
The ward representatives who were gathered in groups within the house dispersed, leaving the county chief by himself. Mwangaza claimed that the MCAs demanded a bribe in order to recommend the candidates to her cabinet.
“The issue of blackmailing the governor asking me to give you Sh5 million so that you approve the nominees, I will not accept. I will not part with any money for you to do your job,” the governor stated.
Mwangaza denied allegations that she had declined to interact with county officials, pointing out that she had visited 20 wards while being accompanied by the corresponding MCAs on each occasion.
The county chief received a warning from the MCAs on October 18 that they would not permit her to formally open the assembly and deliver her inaugural presentation. They claimed Mwangaza ignored them and made it difficult for them to interact with her.