Murang’a MCA suspended for 4 months over WhatsApp message criticising colleagues

Kanyenyaini Ward Representative Grace Nduta has been suspended from Murang’a County assembly for a period of four months over alleged misconduct.

The verdict was given by the powers and privileges committee which was probing the MCA over a WhatsApp message criticising her colleagues for failing in their oversight role and what she described as misplaced priorities.

Nduta has also been suspended as a member of the Speaker’s panel, House Business and Rules and Committee on Selection.

The committee which was chaired by Speaker Johnson Mukuha tabled its recommendation in the assembly for debate and the majority supported the proposed disciplinary action.

Nduta got herself in trouble with the House three weeks ago after posting a message in the Muranga County Politics (MCP) WhatsApp group during a discussion on the health sector, after a prominent lawyer died over an alleged lack of oxygen and an ambulance to move him to another hospital.

During the engagement, Nduta claimed the health sector in the county is on its deathbed. She accused her colleagues of failing to push the executive to deliver quality medical care to the residents.

The remarks, however, did not go well with her colleagues who said the MCA was out to humiliate and demean them in the eyes of the public. They demanded that she be summoned for disciplinary action.

"It has come to the attention of the committee that on Thursday Ma) 18, 2023, between 10.24am and 12.55pm, while engaged in conversations on social media, you posted messages on the MCP WhatsApp group which, in the opinion of the committee, are intended to or are likely to reflect adversely on the dignity or integrity of the House and are contrary to the best interests of members of the assembly and are further contrary to the values enshrined in Chapter Six of the Constitution and Sections 11(a); (b) and 13 (b) of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, Section 26 (1) of the County Assemblies Powers and Privileges Act 2017 and Standing Order 203 (4)," read part of the summons.

"In view of the above and pursuant to Article 195 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, Section 17 of the County Assemblies Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, and Standing Order 203, the committee hereby invites you and your witnesses to appear before the committee at the Hon. Speakers boardroom on Wednesday May 24, 2023, at 9am to respond to the alleged Mich of privilege."

The assembly’s Majority Leader Francis Kibe said Nduta was given a chance to apologise and withdraw her remarks but declined.

Kibe said the ward rep is to blame for her woes adding that her sentiments were uncalled for and she should have used another channel to raise her concerns instead of posting it on social media.

“The committee has summoned the MCA several times, but instead of apologizing she said she will be their regular client,” the majority leader said.

Further, he said the county has allocated funds for projects prioritized in each of the 35 wards as a result of the input by the MCAs, adding that Nduta’s sentiments were demeaning to the whole House.