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Citizen Weekly

Sunday 11 January 2015

Politics behind Kibwana move to sack ministers

Our Reporter

Even as the fate hanging over Makueni county still lingers on Governor Kivutha Kibwana in his efforts to stamp his authority and consolidate his power base has sacked five cabinet members in his government.
It has also emerged that for president Uhuru Kenyatta to test Jubilee’s inroads in Ukambani region, he is under intense pressure from his advisers to dissolve the county and order for fresh elections during which his ruling Jubilee will lock horns with former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper party which is dominant in the region.
Ostensibly, the idea is that with the governor’s seat all the way to the MCAs will be up for grabs, Jubilee will field candidates to take on those allied to Wiper party in what is then touted to be a bruising political by election test Kalonzo’s influence in Ukambani politics ahead of the 2017 general elections.
The five sacked cabinet members are said to have been allied to anti-Kivutha camp. They are said to have fully supported impeachment proceedings against the governor.
Among those relieved is Molly Kamame who was executive committee member for roads and infrastructure. To complicate matters, Kibwana also sent chief officers Augustine Kitheka (Education and ICP), Daniel Mututa (water), and Joseph Mutinda (lands) on compulsory leave.
Kibwana’s new cabinet lineup include Andrew Mulwa (water, irrigation and environment) and acting in health docket, Ruth Kyatha (education, livestock and food security) and Kawive Wambua (devolution and public service).
Damaris Makau, a key ally of the governor remains director  for early childhood development and acting chief officer department of education and ICT. JM Kimunga is the director of water and also acts as chief officer for water and irrigation.
Bii Ng’eny is the director of lands and urban planning and acting chief officer lands and urban planning.
Insiders say the sacking and new changes instituted by Kibwana have been received with mixed reactions from members of county assembly. They are to deliberate on the changes as the political game unfolds.

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