Nominated Senator Tabitha Mutinda has criticized the leadership crisis in Machakos County involving the Governor, Senator, Women Rep and the County Assembly Speaker.
Speaking on Friday, May 16, Mutinda called on the county’s top leaders to resolve their political differences for the sake of service delivery.
She lamented that the wrangles have overshadowed the promise of progressive governance that many hoped would emerge following the historic election of four women to top offices in the county.
"After the 2022 elections, we were very proud to have what we called the 'Machakos Girls'; a woman governor, a woman senator, of course a woman rep and a woman speaker. But as we speak at the moment, that beautiful leadership is now embroiled in difficult political issues.
"I would want to tell the leadership of Machakos County; this is a shame to women's leadership. It's high time that they sit down, resolve their political differences and offer their services to the people of Machakos County," she said.
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Notably, this comes a month after governor Wavinya Ndeti has distanced herself from the ongoing standoff between Speaker Anne Kiusya of the Machakos MCAs.
In an update on Friday, April 11, Ndeti said she has done her part to de-escalate the situation, and will not be dragged into the leadership wrangles.
The governor revealed that she had intervened multiple times to prevent the impeachment of the County Assembly Speaker.
"I have saved the Speaker twice from being impeached by the MCAs. The last time, all 59 MCAs signed to have the Speaker impeached. I called them to my home and talked with them in the presence of the Speaker although they did not know that she was around.
"All MCAs who spoke expressed their discontent with the Speaker to which I advised her not to answer them back and be calm," she said.
According to Ndeti, her mediation led to a temporary resolution between the warring sides, culminating in a three-point agreement aimed at easing tensions.
“In the end we agreed on three things, the Speaker would not be impeached, MCAs who called for the Speaker's impeachment would not to be victimized and MCAs with no committees be given a committee. If they fail to do that, is that my problem?” she asked.
With the situation appearing to deteriorate yet again, Ndeti made it clear she would not be taking further responsibility for the dispute.
"I am not party to the stand-off between the Speaker of the Machakos County Assembly and MCAs. I have twice saved her from impeachment. I am not there to babysit the Assembly. The Speaker should find ways of working with MCAs," she declared.
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