Wa Iria, Munga battle for water services move to Nyeri
Murang'a Water and Sanitation Company staff protest against Governor Mwangi Wa Iria’s alleged interference with the company’s operations. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Judge extended orders restraining Governor Wa Iria from replacing Mr Munga as the chairman of the water firm.
Pending the hearing and determination of the dispute, the governor should not interfere with the affairs of the company.
- Mr Munga sued the governor for arbitrarily terminating his tenure as the chairperson of the water company.
The battle for control of Murang’a Water and Sanitation Company (Muwasco) pitting Governor Mwangi Wa Iria against Equity Bank chairman Peter Kahara Munga has been transferred from Nairobi to the Labour Court in Nyeri.
Justice Maureen Onyango also extended orders restraining Governor Wa Iria from replacing Mr Munga as the chairman of the water firm.
CONTEMPT ALLEGATIONNS
The judge also ordered that, pending the hearing and determination of the dispute, the governor should not interfere with the affairs of the company.
She further allowed Governor Wa Iria to file an additional affidavit within three days, in response to the allegations levelled against him by Mr Munga.
At the same time, Mr Munga filed a sworn affidavit insisting that the governor should be cited for contempt of court for disregarding orders that stop him from meddling with the company affairs.
“Despite service of the court order upon the Respondent, he refused to release the vehicles and the assets that he had unlawfully confiscated from Muwasco until the police intervened and towed the vehicles and motorcycles to their yard,” said Mr Munga.
The governor has since denied the contempt allegations, terming Mr Munga’s application as an abuse of court process.
CRIPPLED OPERATIONS
But Mr Munga said the county boss has refused to give the vehicles’ ignition keys, a move that has crippled operations of the water firm.
“The respondent continues to interfere with operations of Muwasco particularly by telling the people of Murang’a not to pay their water bills to Muwasco,” indicated Mr Munga.
The businessman added that Governor Wa Iria has proceeded to extensively distribute notices through churches and other faith based organisations asking the residents not to pay their water bills.
Mr Munga further accused the governor of inciting Muwasco customers through paid up adverts, text messages, road shows and speeches at various public events.
He noted the Mr Wa Iria is denying the water company its only source of revenue. He urged the court to punish the governor for the alleged contempt.
Mr Munga sued the governor arbitrarily terminating his tenure as the chairperson of the water firm and irregularly, unlawfully and unconstitutionally appointing Prof Joseph Kimura in his position.
He added that he was denied the right to be heard nor given reasons for the termination. The dispute will now be heard in Nyeri by Justice Nzioki wa Makau.
