By Betty Luke
A section of Isiolo residents have urged the MCAs to consider dialogue in resolving an existing row with Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo believed to have culminated into Tuesday’s tabling of an impeachment motion against the county boss by Sericho MCA Abubakar Godana.
Led by former Ngaremara MCA Ekwam Teru, the residents, among them elders and community leaders, said it was important to exhaust all available dispute resolution avenues before resulting in drastic measures such as ouster.
The notice of impeachment cites gross misconduct, misappropriation of public resources, and undermining other leaders among the grounds for Guyo’s removal from office.
The specific alleged violations are yet to be made public and are expected to be laid bare during the debate on the motion next week Friday.
Teru called on the MCAs to tone down and engage their electorates who he said were not aware of the specific grounds for the ouster of the county’s third Governor and Kenya’s first MCA to rise to the seat.
“We appeal to you not to listen to outside voices. These are your people saying you reduce the anger,” he said in reference to the residents who showed up at the press briefing.
The long serving counsellor castigated the ward representatives for allegedly switching off their mobile phones after tabling the motion said it had created confusion as their whereabouts remained unknown.
Somali Council of Elders Secretary General Idle Hassan called on the leaders to involve elders in the negotiation saying they (elders) were knowledgeable enough to handle any kind of dispute.
While noting that the elders were willing to mediate the two groups, Idle said it was unfair to oust the county boss before ‘reasoning’ with him.
“Impeachment should be the last option, after exhausting all the available alternatives. Let’s not handle this lightly.Everyone can make a mistake but it is always fair enough to give them a space to defend themselves,” he urged.
Minority communities representative Emmanuel Mzungu also opposed the move, terming it ill-advised and divisive saying the MCAs ought to have consulted the people before initiating the motion.
“We urge you to come to us and let’s negotiate on behalf of our people. Let’s bury the past and chart a new way forward,” he added.
“Impeaching the governor is not the right move. Even if he hasn’t listened to you, we the residents would have,” he said.
While blaming what he termed as ‘external forces’ elder Omar Godana called on President William Ruto to intervene and protect the county from sinking into a political dilemma.
“We have witnessed leaders from neighbouring counties interfering with our issues and we suspect that is the main cause of the instability we are experiencing. I urge the MCAs not to be influenced,” said Mr Godana.
His sentiments were echoed by Kikuyu elder Stephen Ngatia who called for peace and tolerance to ensure the local economy is not affected.
“Without peace, we cannot work for a living. Let’s resolve this and focus on development because it is what our people urgently need,” he said.
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