Mathira residents have launched a campaign to recall their MP, Eric Wamumbi, citing betrayal and neglect as primary reasons
The push, led by community leader Samuel Ngari, aims to collect at least 31,000 signatures to meet the recall threshold
Agnes Kirigo, a resident, expressed deep disappointment, calling Wamumbi’s actions a betrayal, with others labelling him a traitor for his stance on Rigathi Gachagua's ouster
In addition to his position on Gachagua, Wamumbi faces accusations of misusing CDF funds, bribery in public forums, and unfairly terminating staff
Frustrated by what they perceive as betrayal and neglect, the residents, led by local voter and community leader Samuel Ngari, have launched a signature collection drive to meet the constitutional threshold required to oust the MP.
Their goal is to gather at least 31,000 signatures from the constituency's 104,000 registered voters, an endeavour they began on Wednesday, November 13.
The main catalyst for this recall effort was Wamumbi's recent support of a motion against former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
According to Agnes Kirigo, a Mathira resident and trader, Wamumbi’s decision felt like a deep betrayal.
"We are hurt because he refused to stand with our deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, and that thing, even if they impeached him, they impeached him over there, but in our hearts, he will not be removed," said Kirigo.
What are grounds for Wamumbi's recall
While his stance on Gachagua’s impeachment sparked the venture, residents also accused Wamumbi of failing in his duties.
Ngari, the driving force behind the recall campaign, listed several grievances, among them alleged misuse of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocations, bribery in public participation meetings about the impeachment, and unjust termination of constituency office employees.
He expressed optimism about reaching their target, with plans to intensify the campaign during the December holidays when more constituents will be home.
The voter stated that he's undeterred by the absence of a functional Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), which is currently under restructuring.
"We can’t wait until 2027 because if we do, Wamumbi will keep taking our money, drawing his salary, and doing nothing for us. So even if this process doesn’t go through, we’ll still come back here to start a new one," Ngari vowed.
Wamumbi, however, has dismissed the campaign as mere retaliation from Gachagua and his supporters, downplaying the effort.
How did Wamumbi, Gachagua fall out
As reported earlier, Wamumbi said his fallout with Gachagua was not over the war on illicit brew but due to a proposal to abandon President William Ruto.
Wamumbi claimed that during a meeting on May 25, Gachagua suggested the plan, but he refused, citing his duty to watch over Mt Kenya residents.
The MP criticised Gachagua for misleading the Gikuyu people and insisted on serving under Ruto to use the existing Cabinet positions for the region's benefit.
Despite Gachagua's past support, Wamumbi emphasised his independence and commitment to his own opinions on the country's leadership.
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