An attempt by Kiambu deputy governor James Nyoro to move county Finance Minister has been thwarted, only weeks after he announced a takeover of the county leadership.
Nyoro has since declared himself the interim county boss on behalf of embattled governor Ferdinand Waititu who has since been barred from office over graft charges.
Nyoro on July 30 attempted to move County Executive Committee (CEC) member for Finance Francis Kigo to the Department of Trade, Tourism and Cooperatives in futility.
“Pursuant to Article 179(5) and Section 30(2)(i) of the County Governments Act, 2012, you are hereby reassigned from the Department Finance and Economic Planning of to the Department of Trade, Tourism, Cooperative and Enterprise Development,” reads a letter signed by Nyoro.
However, the former Gatundu North MP wrote to the County Attorney Waithaka Wanjohi to seek interpretation, with Waithaka writing back, terming the said transfer unconstitutional.
"Section 32(4) of the County Governments Act provides that when acting in office as contemplated in Article 179(5) of the Constitution, the deputy governor shall not exercise any powers of the governor to nominate, appoint or dismiss that are assigned to the governor under the constitution or other written law, reads the response, as was seen by the Nation on Thursday.
The move was in line with the realization to Nyoro's promise that he would eliminate graft at the helm of the county and seal corruption loopholes when he was taking over.
Both Wanjohi and Kigo have remained silent on the tussle, as Members of the County Assembly plot to impeach Waititu, who has since rubbished Nyoro's takeover.