Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has reinstated Finance County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Catherine Mutanu after a court temporarily suspended the implementation of her dismissal.
In a statement issued on Monday, the governor said she had been served with a court-issued stay order stopping the implementation of her decision to dismiss Mutanu from the Finance docket.
“This morning, I received a court-issued stay order concerning the dismissal of Hon. Catherine Mutanu as the CECM Finance,” the governor said.
Wavinya said her administration would fully comply with the court’s directive, emphasizing her commitment to the rule of law.
“As a law-abiding citizen, I respect the rule of law and will fully comply with the court order, allowing the judicial process to take its course,” she stated.
Following the court order, the governor directed Mutanu to immediately resume her duties as the County Executive Committee Member for Finance pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The governor also sought to clarify the circumstances surrounding the dispute, saying delays in processing the County Assembly’s salaries and allowances were occasioned by budgetary and procedural challenges rather than negligence by the Finance department.
According to Wavinya, the County Assembly de-gazetted sittings that were to consider the supplementary budget before later passing an amended version towards the end of the financial year. She added that exchequer disbursements were received late and that the Assembly delayed submitting the required documentation necessary to facilitate salary payments.
She noted that once the necessary documents were received on July 6, she directed the Finance department to proceed with processing the required paperwork for the County Assembly.
The case will now proceed before the court, with Catherine Mutanu remaining in office until the matter is heard and determined.
