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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said he will convene a meeting with leaders from Meru County in an effort to reconcile Governor Kawira Mwangaza with Members of the County Assembly.

The Deputy President on Sunday said he will be seeking to broker a truce after the second attempt to impeach Governor Mwangaza failed at the Senate last week.

It will be the third time the Deputy President will be trying to reconcile the Meru leaders.

Gachagua’s gesture comes as some residents of the county have petitioned President William Ruto to dissolve the county government over persistent wrangles.

A number of Members of County Assemblies have also joined in the calls for the dissolution of the county.

“In Meru, there was a problem and the issues were resolved at the Senate. I had called the leaders for reconciliation but the peace lasted for only one year. They started the wrangles again and we kept off. I will convene a meeting for the leaders including the Governor, MCAs and MPs in a bid to bring them back together because Meru County is also very important to our Administration.”

Speaking at St Anthony Catholic Church in Dallas and Kiajakoma Full Gospel Church in Runyenjes on Sunday, the Deputy President said he will not give up in his efforts to resolve leadership wrangles in counties.

Gachagua, who was accompanied by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and several Members of Parliament, said it was his duty to ensure devolution is functioning.

Early this year, the DP convened two reconciliation meetings between Meru leaders following protracted leadership wrangles after the Ward Reps impeached Governor Kawira in December 2022.

The Senate overturned the impeachment and DP Gachagua brought the feuding parties together but MCAs impeached the Governor again 10 months later.

Gachagua said he had succeeded in resolving leadership wrangles in Kericho and Kiambu counties.

The Deputy President lauded Embu leaders for harmonious working relationships.

“Development can not be achieved when there are wrangles. I urge you to continue working together for the sake of the people,” he said.

Illicit brews

On the ongoing coffee reforms, the Deputy President said the government will not relent in its mission to ensure farmers get fair returns from their produce.

“The reforms are ongoing and we are doing well. The middlemen, who had opposed the reforms so that they could continue oppressing farmers and had refused to buy the coffee have returned to the market and will buy the coffee at high prices. We have set aside Sh4 billion to cushion the farmers. We have buyers from Germany, Belgium and others who want to buy the coffee directly from farmers,” he said.

On the sale of illicit brews and alcohol abuse in Embu, the DP directed the county police commander to ensure traders arrested in connection with toxic brews are charged.

Local leaders had said police officers were the weak link in the fight against illicit brews.