Nyeri Governor criticised over Energy CS sacking remarks amid blackouts
Nyeri Governor Mwalimu Mutahi Kahiga is under scrutiny following his remarks urging President William Ruto to dismiss Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Davis Chirchir.
The governor, aligned with the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), voiced his concerns during the 2023 Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12 in Nyeri, addressing the nationwide power outage experienced on December 10.
Governor Kahiga, critical of certain CSs’ perceived lack of diligence, specifically pointed at Energy CS Chirchir. He urged President Ruto to replace anyone hindering his efforts, asserting that qualified individuals from Nyeri could assume the role.
However, the governor is now backpedaling, claiming he was taken out of context and did not explicitly demand Chirchir’s dismissal.
In a statement on December 13, Governor Kahiga clarified, “I wish to clarify that I never demanded the sacking of CS Davis Chirchir for the recent power failure in my Jamhuri Day speech.”
He explained that his emphasis was on the national embarrassment caused by the power failure at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and recommended the removal of the CS responsible for airports.
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Despite the backtrack, Kahiga maintained his stance that underperforming Cabinet Secretaries should be replaced.
He highlighted the discrepancy between President Ruto’s dedication and certain CSs’ perceived lethargy.
The governor’s statements come in the wake of a power outage at JKIA, prompting Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen to call for a police investigation, alleging sabotage.
Energy CS Chirchir attributed the power outage to increased demand exceeding supply, thus putting a strain on the Kenya Power company’s infrastructure.
The incident raised questions about the commitment of the Transport Ministry to streamline critical flight services at JKIA.
The December 10 blackout marked the third such incident in the past three months, prompting concerns about the reliability of the national power grid.