Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza turn county into a family affair in hiring spree
Meru county governor Kawira Mwangaza is on the spot for accusations of nepotism, conflict of interest and irregular recruitment that were made public by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
She declined to respond to accusations lettered by the EACC claiming that they could be as a result of her stand-off with Members of County Assembly (MCAs) that used the anti-graft agency to fight her.
“I cannot comment on the EACC (Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission) matter because I saw it in the media. We will respond accordingly once they serve us formally. However, as it stands, the allegations are hearsay,” she said.
“I am surprised that EACC gave the letter to the media before serving me. I suspect that the media report was influenced by my political enemies. The media should have sought my side of the story,” she added.
Mwangaza was accompanied by her husband Murega Baicu, who is at the centre of EACC’s accusations of nepotism after he was recently appointed the county’s youth patron and hustlers’ ambassador.
In a letter dated October 19, EACC had also cited the governor for allegedly hiring her sisters as her aides.
“While the information within our knowledge is that Murega Baicu will be performing his duties without pay, we find this inconsistent with this provision because the office he occupies is a public office within the meaning of this article whether or not he draws a salary,” read the letter by EACC.
“It is reported that you have employed two of your sisters to public office, one as your personal assistant and another as security personnel,” EACC added.
Mwangaza’s attempt to make her inaugural address to the county assembly last week backfired after the ward representatives walked out on her.
They accuse the governor, who was elected on an independent ticket, of sidelining them when visiting their wards and “belittling them”.
