The Dramatic Morning That Changed Everything
By Martin Masai
Former County Finance CECM Catherine Mutanu arrived at the Machakos County Assembly at about 9.30 a.m., a full 30 minutes before she was scheduled to appear before the Assembly Select Committee hearing her impeachment.
Accompanied by her lawyers, Erastus Musyoka and Jackson Kalla, Mutanu briefly entered the chamber only to find that members had not yet taken their seats.
The hearing had been scheduled for 10.00 a.m.
She quietly retreated to wait inside her vehicle.
Moments later, an unexpected visitor drove into the Assembly precincts.
County Secretary Dr. Muya Ndambuki arrived carrying official documents.
After spotting Mutanu, he walked directly to her vehicle. Seeing him approach, Mutanu stepped out of her car, whereupon Ndambuki personally served her with a letter dated July 6, 2026 relieving her of her duties as County Executive Committee Member for Finance with immediate effect.
Mutanu drove out of the Assembly’s precincts; no more hearing, no more a minister. It was over.
Without delay, Ndambuki proceeded to the Office of the Clerk of the County Assembly, where he also personally delivered both the dismissal letter and an official communication from his office informing the Assembly of the Governor’s decision. He left nothing to chance.
At 9.56 AM, the documents were transmitted to the Assembly Select Committee, chaired by Mua Ward MCA Francis Ngunga.
The committee briefly conferred before proceeding into the chamber.
When proceedings commenced, Ngunga informed members and those present that the Governor had dismissed Mutanu. He read out the two letters and conluded that, effectively the impeachment proceedings had come to an abrupt end.
Mutanu’s lawyers listened in stunned silence as the dramatic turn of events unfolded.
The Select Committee comprises Chairperson Francis Ngunga (Mua Ward), Deputy Speaker Stephen Mwanthi (Ekalakala Ward), Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka alias Wangondi (Machakos Central Ward), Paul Wambua (Kibauni Ward) and Philip Kitoo (Mitaboni Ward).
Political sources tell The Anchor that the dismissal followed reports that Mutanu had allegedly sent emissaries to Governor Wavinya Ndeti seeking her intervention to stop the impeachment process. Other unconfirmed reports say she had also faced off with the governor to no avail.
It is understood that Mutanu maintained she had merely implemented the Governor’s directives on all the issues raised against her and therefore bore no personal responsibility for any of the issues.
When those entreats reportedly failed to yield a response, sources claim Mutanu confided to close associates that she “would not die alone” and was prepared to reveal information that could embarrass both the County Government and senior officials during the public hearing.
It is believed that by arriving early at the Assembly, Mutanu intended to use the committee proceedings to publicly defend herself and disclose matters she believed the public deserved to hear.
The Governor acted before that could happen.
When contacted for comment, Mutanu angrily retorted, “Just go ahead and write what you want to write because I have no comment.”
In what insiders described as one of County Secretary ‘s earliest starts to the workday since assuming office, he personally prepared and served the dismissal letter before ensuring the Assembly formally received the communication.
Although observers noted a grammatical error in the letter, its legal effect was immediate.
The dismissal also vindicated Mbiuni MCA Peter Kilonzo, who had persistently pushed for accountability over the Finance Department.
While Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s decision prevented what could have become a politically explosive public hearing, it did not erase the substantive issues at the heart of the impeachment process.
By dismissing Mutanu, the Governor effectively acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, including gross misconduct, abuse of office, incompetence, and failure to maintain the constitutionally required balance between recurrent and development expenditure.
While Mutanu is out of office, the questions surrounding the management of Machakos County’s finances remain unresolved.”The elephant has moved to Wavinya’s room” said human rights defender Fred Lau.
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