Embattled Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu on Saturday took a swipe at his deputy Dr James Nyoro for declaring himself governor during his absence.
Speaking to members of the press while inspecting ongoing county projects, Waititu said Nyoro's move was not significant as there are roles he could not perform.
"Even if you take power in an acting capacity, there are role that you cannot perform("Na hata kama kuna mtu anachukua mamlaka akiwa anaact kuna mamlaka ingine hawezi fanya), " Waititu said.
He rattled off a list of roles that his deputy could not perform in an acting capacity including transferring and sacking county workers.
Governor Waititu called on those plotting to oust him from power to wait for 2022, adding that only the people of Kiambu could remove him from office.
According to Waititu, Nyoro is hungry for power and cannot be trusted.
"My detractors are not happy with the projects that I have initiated. What I am going through is 2022 political wars by my opponents. You noticed how Mr Nyoro went to swear himself in hurriedly after the court ruling confirming how obsessed he is with power,” he said as quoted by Nation.
Waititu's remarks mark an escalation of tension between him and Nyoro.
Waititu is out on bail after being held in police custody over a raft of corruption charges uncovered in an indictment by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
He has long protested his innocence, claiming that corruption allegations leveled against him and his administration are fueled by politics.
A court ordered that he doesn't go back to his office until the lawsuit against him is decided.