This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
On Wednesday, a Senate committee chaired by Senator John Kinyua reached out to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to mediate talks between Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja and his MCAs.
The move comes after Governor Samboja allegedly threatened to dissolve the county assembly after failing to approve the county's budget, which was cut by the MCAs in favor of the development sector.
According to reports, the row started in June when the MCAs allocated their wards Ksh41.5 million each, but Governor Samboja declined to allocate the estimated amounts as per the MCA's wish.
Senator Kinyua, who chairs the Senate committee, said they want the Inter-government Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) to be involved in the mediation process.
"We want the IGRTC to be involved so that we can engage all of them. This is a matter that involves parties. Therefore, we are also engaging the ODM party leader because a majority of the MCAs are from ODM," Kinyua divulged.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, alongside Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula, are expected to spearhead the mediations to restore the deteriorating relationship.