Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja and a section of City Hall honchos are a worried lot after it became apparent plans are underway for his impeachment sparking fears and uncertainty amongst the executive wing of Sakaja’s administration over his shaky political fate.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
A section of Nairobi Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) who spoke to us separately in exclusive interviews said Sakaja’s ouster bid is in progress.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai said when the assembly resumes next week, the first assignment he will have as a legislator is tabling the impeachment motion of governor Sakaja.
In an interview withThe Informer Media Group, the Alai cited claims of incompetence, suspected fraud and abuse including payment of huge amounts of money in cash as possible grounds for his impeachment.
In documents seen byThe Informer Media Group, the governor paid Sh98million in cash in the purchase of a house costing Sh150million with the remainder being promised to be paid letter as per the agreement seen by us.
Alai stated that such huge amounts being paid in cash are part of the charges that Sakaja will be facing for his impeachment.
The vocal legislator dismissed claims that the governor has been receiving protection from the various quarters within government and opposition adding that the assumption has been held for far too long.
“There is no protection that the governor is receiving…That is just an assumption. It has taken too long for the impeachment to come but I am on the final touches of drafting the motion. I will bring it next week.” Alai stated.
On her part, Deputy Minority leader and Nairobi South MCA Waithera Chege said Nairobi MCAs have enough reasons to impeach the first-term governor whom she says should be put to task and work for Nairobians.
“I haven’t seen the impeachment motion but if it’s to come, there is already enough ground for the governor to be impeached according to what is stipulated in the constitution. I have always made my stand clear that the governor should be put to task and work for Nairobians. I may not know what has happened for the Azimio side to see it this late because that’s what we have been advocating for ever since.” Waithera toldThe Informer Media Group.
However, today, the city administrator dismissed claims of the impending impeachment adding that he is focused on delivering his manifesto to Nairobians.
“We will not be distracted by naysayers. Our focus is on delivering what we promised. We have a mandate and don’t have time for rumors. Our priority is to work for our people, not to engage in gossip.” Sakaja retorted.
He also dismissed reports that he had been removed from president William Ruto’s jet bound for China, claiming that he had been engaged with project launches and was not scheduled to travel.
“Which plane are people talking about? I was supposed to be in Umoja today, not in China. Those are just rumors.” He remarked.
The governor praised the cooperation between president Ruto and Raila Odinga, noting that his administration has operated successfully despite having a minority in the county assembly.
“Many were skeptical about my decision to work with the opposition, but now it’s clear that we have a national government of inclusivity that will deliver. We fully support that.” He said.
Umoja MCA Mark Mugambi echoed the governor’s sentiments, urging the county executive to prioritize service delivery and dismissing the impeachment rumors.
“If anything, before we consider impeachment, those in the executive who are underperforming should go home first.” Mugambi said.
“This is not Meru County; we will not impeach our governor.” Korogocho MCA Absalom Matach said.
On his part, Minority leader and Waithaka MCA Anthony Kiragu said the accusation that the governor has not performed implicates the legislators of the same.
According to the Waithaka MCA, the City administrator has done nothing wrong to be impeached.
“We do not know who the sponsor of the motion is so far. It is not official yet whether there is an impeachment motion. I have not seen the grounds of impeachment and I do not know the sponsor of the motion yet. This is the mid-term curse at City Hall. If you recall during the times of Kidero. Sonko, it was also around this time that the impeachment motions came so it is something that we are used to. It was also around this time that NMS was brought into the county. “He said.
“Those MCAs saying he has not performed unless they also want to say that they have also not performed. We work as one unit to deliver services to the Nairobi residents.” He added.
When reached for a comment, Majority Leader Peter Imwatok neither confirmed nor denied the ouster bid against Sakaja but said matters of impeachment are weighty and the charges need to be very substantive.
He explained that his office has not been approached any MCAs purporting to have collected signatures for the impeachment.
“The law for impeaching the Governor are well indicated in the constitution, County Government Act, and Standing Orders. It is not a walk in the park.” Imwatok said.
However, the ODM legislator told Nairobi residents that once the assembly resumes from recess, it will not be business as usual.
Imwatok noted that the assembly cannot expect the governor to work if the house itself is not delivered as expected.
“The legislators cannot send the Governor home if they are not executing their mandate,” he said.
The Majority leader put on notice executive officers whom he claimed had branded themselves as the “untouchables” and looked down upon the staff as well as MCAs.
“This time round, things will be different. There are those in office from the executive who think they will have an easy journey by not delivering as they should” Imwatok added.
This comes months after a section of UDA members of the County Assembly and Members of the National Assembly led by Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie accused Sakaja of not delivering his promises to Nairobians.
The elected leaders on the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket, the MPs and MCAs expressed their concerns over the status of development in the city under the leadership of Johnson Sakaja.
They invited investigative authorities to City Hall to probe alleged wanton graft.
“It is our observation that is now the view of the majority of city county residents that Nairobi could be facing its worst leadership crisis at City Hall.” Kiarie said.
“The dream that was sold during the campaigns of a city of order, dignity, and opportunities for all has turned into the nightmare that Nairobi is becoming.” He added.….CLICK HERE FOR MORE ARTICLE>>>
