Six members of the Kiambu County Assembly receive death threats over their tough stance against the proposed Finance Appropriation Bill 2013.
KIAMBU, KENYA: Some members of the Kiambu County Assembly are a worried lot after receiving death threats and other dire consequences over their stand against the county’s proposed Finance Appropriation Bill 2013.
The MCAs said they received the threatening text messages through their cell phones on Saturday night between 9.30pm and 10pm from two different numbers warning them against shooting down the Bill and telling them to keep off Kiambu county governor’s affairs as he is not their ‘age mate’.
Tough stance
The six members of the county assembly claim to have received death threats over their tough stance against the controversial bill are Kimani Gacihi, the Mang’u ward representative, Elizabeth Muthoni (Kemenu), Patrick Chege (Gitothua), Martin Wachira (Riabai), James Njenga ( Kiambu town) and Emily Warutere (nominated).
The message seen by The Counties was sent from mobile number 0716552791 and written in capital letters read:
‘U CONTINUE ATTACKING THE BILL BE ADVICED WE ARE WATCHING YOU WE HAVE SOME NOMINATED ON GROUND THIS IS NOT YOUR MOTHERS BILL. KABOGO IS NOT YOUR AGEMATE. JUST AMEND THE WAY YOU THINK BEST. WE ARE NOT OUT OF OPTION ON HOW WE CAN DEAL WITH YOU RUTHLESSLY. KEEP OFF OR FIND YOURSELF IN PIECES, USELESS’
Riabai ward representative Martin Wachira received a further text message from 0703774331, which read:
‘if u think u r so clever, I ensure u don’t cross the line once and 4 ever, ua days are numbered en I will ensure u see what u’ve never seen. U really regret.’
Speaking at Thika police station after recording a statement, the MCAs led by the county Leader of Majority, Simon Komu said they shall not be cowed and intimidated by the threats as they stand for what is right for the people of Kiambu.
“Let the sender of the message know that no amount of intimidation, threat and pressure will make us relent on opposing the Bill. As the representatives of the people, we have a duty to air their views on matters directly touch on their lives. The truth on the ground is that people are against the law since it is not economically sensitive to them. If some people want to kill us for speaking for the voiceless so be it but that bill will pass over our dead bodies,” said James Njenga, the Kiambu town ward representative.
They appealed to the police to investigate the matter and ensure culprits are brought to book.
They also urged the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) to intervene and compel Safaricom, a leading mobile service provider in the country to reveal details of who the owner of the two phone numbers.
“What the person is doing is destroying the reputation of the governor and that of his government. I urge the governor to be wary of people surrounding him who might bring him down,” said Emily Warutere, a nominated MCA.
The proposed Finance Bill 2013 currently before the county assembly has elicited a fierce debate among the residents.
The bill stipulates ways the county government seeks to collect revenue to fund its Sh13 billion budget.-standardmedia
