Wavinya looped into officials' public spat

Riddle of squabbling officials

By Martin Masai

Three top officials in Governor Wavinya Ndeti's administration have 5 days to respond to allegations of offensive conduct that resulted in a public spat.

Mr Metho

The Minister for Roads, Transport and Public Works Ms. Rita Ndunge Ndunda, her Public Works Chief Officer Mr Benson Kituku Metho and Energy and Electrification Chief Officer  Mr. Simon Kirima have up to September 6, 2024 to give individual accounts of what transpired on August 29,2024 during the public participation meeting in Mavoko Sub County.

However a letter seen by The Anchor  which is signed by the County Secretary Dr Muya Ndambuki places a collective charge against the trio. 

Dr Ndambuki said he had been briefed that the three were involved in an altercation in public

"Vide this memo, you are required to make a written statement on what you know about this(matter) addressed to the undersigned on or before 6th September, 2024", he directed in the August 30, 2024 missive.

Ms. Ndunda

The letter, headlined "Misconduct in Public", appears to show that the CS believed the contents of the brief  but treats the particulars of the alleged misconduct  as very sensitive, if not sensational, that the CS avoids  the details all together. Indeed there are questions as to whether the matter warrants the call for statements.

Governor Wavinya did not attend the event and other public participation meetings she likes  attending.  Her confidants say she is in the UK where she reportedly took  her daughter to school.

Cabinet sources speculate that Finance Minister Onesmas Kuyu, who attended the meeting, may have briefed the governor about the drama, prompting her to trigger the letter from the CS. Kuyu is known to have a frosty relationship with Mr Kirima and this may be an enhancement of their tiffs.

Mr Kirima

Governor Wavinya is copied in the letter. The CS may not have the guts to give an ultimatum to a minister without the governor's express authority and it is believed that the governor sanctioned the writing of the demand.

The matter, the sources add, may cause a stir in the cabinet, particularly among women because they consider her as one of their own who may have been offended and should therefore not be required, under any circumstances, to relive the tormenting moment in writing. Even then, it is also suspected that the cause of the spat may have been originated from the minister- a politician in her own right- because she is not known to shy away from confrontations.

Ms. Ndunda confirmed to The Anchor that there was an incident in Mavoko but firmly declined to divulge any details " I'm still very upset.I will let it to be handled at a higher level", she quipped and hung up. 

Mr Kirima also confirmed there was a protocol hitch between them and the minister  and added that  expletives in the Kamba language were uttered repeatedly as the minister tried to find her space on the front row where she found Mr Metho and Mr Kirima seated.

When contacted, Mr Metho denied ever witnessing the spat that the CS had asked them to give an account of. " She is my minister and we have a very cordial working relationship with her. I did not witness any incident during the public participation event in Mavoko", Mr Metho added.