Editor's Review

The governor however pressured President Ruto to fire Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahigas has denied asking President William Ruto to fire Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir over the recent power blackout.

In a statement released on Wednesday, December 13, the outspoken Mt Kenya governor stated that he was with the CS at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) when a power blackout hit the country.

CS Chirchir made several calls to top Kenya Power bosses to address the situation, Kahiga added.

"I wish to clarify that I never demanded for the sacking of CS Davis Chichir for the recent power failure in my Jamhuri Day speech. All I said is that I was with Waziri at the JKIA when the blackout happened. I said he frantically made calls to have power restored," his statement read in part.

File photo of Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga. PHOTO | COURTESY

Governor Kahiga however pressured President Ruto to fire Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

Defending his stance, he argued that power failure at JKIA was a national embarrassment which threatened to water down the progress made by the Kenya Kwanza administration.

He thus asked the President to fire CS Murkomen and replace him with someone who would replicate his resilience in service delivery.

" I asked the President to sack the CS concerned with Airports. I also said that all Cabinet secretaries letting down the President must be shown the door," Kahiga insisted.

"I reminded all and sundry that it cannot be business as usual if The President is in office at 6am and doesn't leave till midnight while the CSs he has given jobs continue letting him down! I still maintain this same stand!"

His sentiments came after Murkomen alleged sabotage at JKIA. He asked Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to help with the investigations into why some generators failed to start.

"Considering the frequency of the power disruption, and taking into account the fact that JKIA is a facility of strategic national importance, we are making a formal request to the National Police Service to investigate possible acts of sabotage and coverup," Murkomen stated.