This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
Published on August 10, 2019, Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has relocated his operations to the city centre following a court order to keep off his office until a corruption case against him is resolved.
The move comes as a result of a split in the county Cabinet, with executives divided between supporting the governor or his deputy James Nyoro.
According to sources, Mr. Waititu has been holding meetings with executives loyal to him at his new office on Koinange Street, including a meeting on Tuesday as he awaited the results of an appeal to revise his bond terms.
The pro-Waititu camp comprises executives who were involved in his 2017 campaigns, while those loyal to Dr. Nyoro were beneficiaries of a pre-election deal between the county boss and a group of Kiambu businessmen.
Executives who spoke to the Saturday Nation in confidence expressed confusion over who to support, given that both Mr. Waititu and Dr. Nyoro claim to be in office legitimately.
“Not much is happening in Kiambu. Power politics has stalled progress; we are also confused on who to report to,” one executive said.
Mr. Waititu has been holding meetings at the tenth floor of his Koinange Street office, which he recently purchased from Jamii Bora Bank, for the better part of the week.
Sources close to the governor stated that the court order has severely impacted his day-to-day operations, as he cannot consult his juniors or make transactions related to county government projects.
Mr. Waititu confirmed holding meetings at the Jamii Bora building but denied any intention to interfere with the operations of the Kiambu devolved government.
“What is wrong with meeting my friends in my building? It is my right to meet whoever I want. My meetings have nothing to do with sabotaging Nyoro. Why sabotage him when I have executive powers? I am still his boss,” the governor said.
