By Mashariki Correspondent
Embu Governor Martin Wambora seems to have learnt a lesson on how to deal with turbulent political wrangles to deliver to the Embu people and thus leave behind a good legacy.
After having five years sleepless nights in his first term owing to an election petition, nagging courtbattles after two impeachments, and then an almost successful petition after re-election.
Immediately after his election in 2013 general election Wambora started his governance with a petition that was lodged by Kithinji Kiragu who claimed that the Governor had rigged the election but the case was thrown out by the court.
Even before Wambora could rest, and start work Ward- representatives passed a vote of no confidence in him before the Senate impeached him twice over abuse of office and violation of procurement act over a scandal involving a multimillions’ Embu stadium rehabilitation project and provision of free maize seeds to farmers which never germinated.
The case dragged on until Wambora who spent very little time in office was reinstated by the Court of Appeal after more than three years before campaigns for the 2017 general elections started and Wambora luckily enough was reelected.
However former Embu senator Lenny Kivuti petitioned against Wambora’s election and the court nullified his election sighting massive irregularities.
Wambora, who is known all over the country as the man with nine political lives after he overcame the hurdles seem to have again started his second term on the wrong footing after ward-representatives who were expected to rally behind him after most of the old ones were voted out started grumbling and threatened to pass a vote of no confidence in him.
One of the bones of contention making MCAS grumble was a nominated ward-rep, Margaret Kariuki who had sued the county assembly after she was removed as the chief whip and the court reinstated her pending hearing and determination of her case, but MCAs were adamant they would not allow her to resume office and blamed Wambora for allegedly supporting her.
The other predicament Wambora faced was of two Chief Officers, who included the one of finance Ruth Ndirangu and her Youth Empowerment and Sports counterpart Samuel Wachira, who the County Assembly recommended for sacking in the month of January on account of abuse of office, gross misconduct, incompetence, corruption and contravention of the law.
Wambora took time to sack them and thus the ward representatives demonstrated against him demanding that he persuade Kariuki to withdraw her case against the County Assembly and also ensure that he sacks the two chief officers.
On sensing danger and apparently having had a tough time with MCAs in his first term he persuaded Kariuki to withdraw her case and further sacked officers but they went to court and they were reinstated but MCAs decided to obey the court and the Governor got peace.
Wambora who is determined to deliver in his second also later in February organized a leader’s peace building summit with all the other rivals where it was agreed that they unite for the sake of development.
Wambora also seems to have at least got relief and a golden chance to deliver his vision for the residents after his political opponent former Senator Lenny Kivuti, nominated Legislator Cecily Mbarire, Academician Kithinji Kiragu and former County Assembly Speakers kariuki Mate reached a truce with him.
Kivuti has declared publicly that he will support Wambora in his second term to deliver his vision for the people and hopes that he will succeed him in 2022.
Embu residents have hope of experiencing development in Wambora’s second term as he has already shown his interest in doing so by sacking anybody against whom there are complaints as he sacked water executive Patrick Waganagwa who was embroiled in controversies over his work at the end of May this year.
Apparently determined to work Wambora has carried out several developments in health sector which include building over 100 health facilities and major upgrading of Embu Level Five Teaching and referral Hospital and built renal unit and cancer treatment department.
He has also tarmcked several roads in Kiritiri town, Dallas, Kibugu, Embu town stage, Runyenjes, Kavutiri Mbiruri, among others, and others are still going on and include Siakago, Ishiara, Mate road Ntagaiya road, Naivas Stadium road, Kangaru Village road, KSG Kamiu- cereals road, kaiambuthi Uchumi road and facelift of Embu town by carpeting the entire town.
