Jitters in Embu Assembly Over Kariobangi North MCA's Death

The MCAs who were responding to news of the sudden death of their Kariobangi North counterpart Joel Munuve Kimanzi from the Nairobi City County Assembly under unclear circumstances observed that the deceased legislator may have been silenced for exposing graft.

Makima MCA Philip Nzangi kicked off the debate by questioning why the government had not considered giving grassroot leaders security, yet they performed the risky role of oversight over County Executives which had billions of shillings under their disposal.

Nominated MCA Agnes Gakungugu said exercising oversight was being misconstrued as witch hunt of top County Government officials. She urged those that may feel aggrieved by MCAs to the extent of planning to harm them to remember that they also had families to raise.

According to Kagaari North MCA Mucangi Mwariama, the suspicious death of one of their colleagues should not dampen the resolve of other legislators in ensuring proper service delivery, adherence to integrity and prudent utilization of public resources.

Expressing worry over numerous deaths of MCAs in a span of two years, Nominated MCA Yvonne Mate said the sole purpose of the leaders occupying their positions was to safeguard public resources from misuse, adding that this did not warrant actions as harsh as killing.

With a whiff of suspicion of foul play, the leaders who spoke during an Assembly plenary sitting unanimously called for speedy investigations into the mysterious death of the Kariobangi North MCA and pledged to make a public statement once the inquest is complete and the cause of his demise established.

Temporary Speaker Newton Kariuki (Muminji MCA) had earlier thrown out a petition by Kithimu MCA Julius Karuri who complained that newly appointed Public Service Principal Secretary Geoffrey Ruku was inadequately protected. Karuri noted that Ruku had only one bodyguard and one chase car instead of at least five.