Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza has fired back at Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) for demanding too much from her government saying she is not willing to give out money without considering due process.
Addressing the press at the county headquarters on Monday, October 24, Kawira said the law must be followed in allocating funds such as the ward development fund.
She said she will not follow in the footsteps of her predecessors in releasing funds to the MCAs without having the requisite legal mechanism in place.
The governor accused the MCAs of reneging on agreements they made in various meetings saying they will have to capture any deal on paper for future reference in case of an issue.
"Tumekutana na nyinyi nyumbani kwangu tukakula dinner tukakubalina kuhusu world Fund, mumeniruka. Tumekutana Mombasa tukaongea maneno ya world fund, mumeniruka. Tumekutana na leadership kwa ofisi yangu ikiongozwa na speaker na si Mara moja, mumeniruka, tumekutana na nyinyi mashinani tukaongea maneno ya world fund mumeniruka," Kawira said.
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"Sasa kwa sababu sitaki muniruke tena, tukikutana tena naomba mkuje na kitu ambayo naeza present before people, na pia nipeleke kwa ofisi, nipeleke pia kwa cabinet Na pia kwa maafisa wengine. So that ijulikane MCAs wanataka Ward fund kwa sababu Munya alikua anawapatia na governor Murungi pia alikua anawapatia."
She added:
"Ata mimi nitawapatia, lakini this time round mambo yamebadilika. Hakuna pesa nitapeana kienyeji kienyeji. Lazima kuwe na sheria na sheria ifuatiliwe."
She said she will disburse the funds to the MCAs as soon as the ex-chequer releases county funds.
"Pesa ikikuja nitawapatia. Lakini lazima tukue na written document. Lakini tukisema tuongee mdomo mdomo, mtaniruka kama vile mumeniruka kama hatukukua tumeongea.
Kawira, who was elected governor on an independent ticket, further said that her government remains steady despite the controversy surrounding her office and that of MCAs.
She said her office remains open for all adding that they should abide by office procedures while seeking an audience with her.
She accused the MCAs of making allegations about her saying that will not deter her from delivering development to the people of Kenya.
"Kwa hivyo ata mkifanya allegations kwenda juu, nataka ni waambie serikali ya mama iko imara. Na mimi kama Governor wa Meru, I am not ready to pocket even a coin that belongs to the ordinary citizen. I will not be intimidated to be a thief. Kila mtu afuatilie sheria na kila mtu atosheke na mshahara wake."
The governor has been embroiled in a disagreement with the county MCAs who have accused her of being arrogant and unreachable.
The disagreement saw the MCAs walk out of the county assembly when the Governor was giving her inaugural address.
