Elders have called for a ceasefire in the political duel pitting Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi and Woman Rep Kawira Mwangaza, lamenting that it is hurting development and service delivery in the county.
National Council of Elders Chairman Phares Rutere appealed to the two leaders to put aside their differences, unite and work together towards the improvement of people’s livelihoods and realisation of the promises they made to the residents.
The politicians, Mr Rutere said, should focus their energies in dealing with pressing issues affecting Meru residents including the Covid-19 pandemic and invasions by desert locust.
“The two leaders should put aside their differences as both have a role to play in bettering the lives of our people. Let them concentrate on doing what is important for our people,” said Mr Rutere.
JUBILEE NOMINATIONS
The woes between the two leaders started back in 2017 when Ms Mwangaza lost in the Jubilee Party primaries to her predecessor Florence Kajuju. She claimed that her loss had been orchestrated by Mr Murungi.
The woman rep has been criticising Governor Murungi’s development record through her Television station, Baite TV which stationed at Makutano in Meru town.
But what worsened the situation is a recent raid on Ms Mwangaza’s residence by the Meru County Revenue Board over unpaid taxes. She was accused of ignoring several reminders to pay the levies.
According to the Meru Revenue Board Manager John Ntoiti, the woman rep’s station owes the county Sh509, 000 in unpaid business permit fees, land rates, signboard and vehicle branding charges among other levies which have accrued since 2016.
‘POLITICAL CONMANSHIP’
While maintaining that the MP must pay taxes in accordance with the law, Governor Murungi has declared war on Ms Mwangaza over what he termed as political conmanship.
But the MP, who has already declared that she will vie for governorship in 2022, maintained that she had paid all the levies and is allegedly being targeted due to her political stand and for demanding accountability in the county government.
And while speaking to the Nation, the elders’ council chairman said leaders should not be offended when other people express interest in the positions they occupy as they will not serve forever.
“There is no need to get offended when others express interest in the position you hold because residents are the ones to decide who to re-elect or not based on their delivery of the promises they made,” Mr Rutere noted.
NJURI NCHEKE
The official asked Meru’s Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders to move with speed and reconcile the two so that they reason and work together.
“They (elders) should convene a reconciliatory meeting for the two leaders so that they sit down and reason together for the good of Meru people. The war should end, politicking be suspended and focus be on development,” he said.
On alleged disrespect for women following the raid on the TV station that saw the MP engage the revenue officers in shouting and screaming, Mr Murungi maintained that he is a long-standing human rights crusader who respects all women.
“We are not dealing with a case of oppression but a ruthless, cunning, political hypocrite, drama queen and a master of deceit who is cynically manipulating media, religion and tears of the poor to whip anger and bitterness against me,” the governor said.