Embattled Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza has pleaded with banks to be patient with her staff regarding the delay in disbursement of salaries.
Mwangaza, in a statement on Wednesday, August 28, also urged suppliers to be patient as they wait for funds to be disbursed.
She indicated that both the staff, banks and suppliers would need to wait approximately two weeks for the funds to be released.
“In light of this development, I request our suppliers and members of staff to be patient for approximately two weeks as we finalize the necessary processes and prepare for the disbursement of funds,” she said.
“We also urge financial institutions and the general public to extend their patience and understanding towards our staff during this period as we work diligently to complete the process and ensure the payment of their salaries.”
Mwangaza also announced that the county’s highly contested budget for the financial year 2024/2025 was gazetted on August 27, 2024.
The governor emphasized she assented the appropriation bill despite substantial efforts by “political detractors who sought to halt the disbursement of funds and impede service delivery in Meru County”.
Also Read: New Twist as Court Gives Orders on Kawira Mwangaza Impeachment
CoB Declines to Halt Mwangaza’s Access to County Funds
This comes after the Controller of Budget (COB), Margaret Nyakang’o, denied a request to bar Kawira Mwangaza from withdrawing funds from the County Revenue Fund.
The request was made by Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi, who argued that Mwangaza should not be allowed to make any withdrawals pending the resolution of her impeachment tussle.
In her response, Nyakang’o stated that the request cannot be granted since the High Court temporarily halted the removal of Mwangaza after the governor contended the process.
“Considering the court orders and the Appropriations Act being assented into law, our office cannot comply with your request to withhold authorization for withdrawals from the Meru County Revenue Fund. Our office is committed to respecting the rule of law and will adhere to any court orders that arise in this matter,” the COB said.
Also Read: Kawira Mwangaza’s Last Fighting Chance Despite Successful Impeachment
The COB further argued that Mwangaza remains the elected governor until the court gives further orders.
“In light of the court order stopping the implementation of the Senate’s resolution to remove the Governor of Meru County from office, it means the Governor remains in office until the court issues further orders. Therefore, the Governor retains the capacity to assent to the Appropriation Bill as outlined in Section 24(1)(a) of the County Governments Act,” added Nyakang’o.
Kawira Mwangaza Saved by Court
The Senate upheld Mwangaza’s third impeachment on August 21 on grounds of gross violation of the Constitution and other laws, gross misconduct, and abuse of office.
However, the High court of Kenya later issued conservatory order barring the implementation of the resolution of the Senate for removing Meru County Governor Kawira Mwangaza, from Office by way of impeachment.
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