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Why Sonko And Kananu Battle Will Deny Nairobi A Governor Until After 2022

by Yahil Felix
written by Yahil Felix

The legal battle between former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko and Deputy Governor Ann Kananu could deny Nairobi County a substantive governor until after the 2022 elections.

Another whose fate is on the balance is the Nairobi Metropolitan Service because a deed of transfer of functions to the National Government is expected to expire in March next year. This can only be extended by a substantive office holder with the backing of the County Assembly.

While the elections are 10 months away, Sonko’s move to the Supreme Court to stop the swearing in of Ms. Kananu as governor has lifted the lid on a ploy to delay her ascension to power through legal hurdles.

On Monday, the Supreme Court stopped Kananu’s ascension to the seat after Sonko challenged a Court of Appeal decision on Friday that dismissed his case against her assumption of office.

The Court of Appeal declared that the ex-governor has been out of office for more than 10 months hence he is no longer the county boss.

Legal experts have argued that these supremacy battles could lead to the governor’s office remaining vacant until August 9, 2022.

Constitutional lawyer Bobby Mkangi has argued that that Sonko’s appeals have led to litigation suits that continue to delay the selection of a substantive governor.

He noted that Kananu has no option but to wait until the legal suits are done away with and the courts decide the way forward for Nairobi.

Also, there is another pending case at the Appelate court that seeks to establish whether Sonko was illegally impeached. The case is coming up for consideration and determination next month.

Mkangi argued that Sonko’s move to the Supreme Court will buy him time. He added that Nairobi County could go for a by-election if the court finds out Kananu’s appointment was unlawful.

If the court finds she’s in office illegally, then this will give IEBC a chance to plan for a by-election within 90 days even as the Speaker occupies the seat in acting capacity.

Kananu who is acting governor is currently barred from conducting some Executive roles as stipulated in Section 30 of the County Government Act and the Constitution.

Sonko is still hopeful of reclaiming his seat. He told his followers in a video clip shared on his Facebook page to be patient and wait for November when the petition challenging the removal will be heard.

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Politics

Behind-The-Scenes Intrigues That Led to Elachi’s Resignation

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Just a day after rendering her resignation to President Uhuru Kenyatta, details have emerged on what led to Nairobi County Assembly speaker Beatrice Elachi’s decision to resign.

Elachi is said to have received a late night phone call from to state officials pushing for her resignation.

Despite initially resisting the idea and threatening a legal challenge if she was ousted, Elachi reportedly accepted to step down after being promised a government appointment.

While resigning on Tuesday August 11, 2020, Elachi thanked President Kenyatta for giving her the opportunity to serve Nairobi for the last three years and said she hoped to serve in his administration in any other capacity in the near future.

“Today I humbly relinquish my position as the Speaker of Nairobi. I want to thank the President for giving me the opportunity to serve for the past three years,” she said.

On Friday July 31, as the nation celebrated Idd-ul-Azha, a meeting was underway at State House, which seemingly would seal the fate of Elachi as Nairobi County Assembly Speaker. 

According to the Standard, President Kenyatta had hosted 41 Jubilee MCAs for the two-hour long meeting to address the leadership crisis at City Hall and help forge a good working relationship with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) to better service delivery for the electorate.

The meeting came days after chaos had rocked the Assembly when a number of MCAs tried to forcefully serve Elachi with a notice of Motion for her impeachment.

In attendance at the meeting, which started at about mid-day, were MCAs from the majority Jubilee Party, led by reinstated Majority Leader Abdi Guyo, deputy Majority Leader Peter Wanyoike, Majority Whip Paul Kados and deputy Majority Whip Waithera Chege.

Guyo is a fierce critic of the Speaker, who had to fight a faction allied to Elachi to regain the Majority Leader position.

Waithera, the South B MCA, was earmarked as the mover of the impeachment Motion against the Speaker.

Neither Elachi nor MCAs allied to her were present at the State House meeting.

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Politics

Nairobi MCAs Hold Party Along a Thika Road Hotel to Celebrate Elachi’s Exit

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi County Assembly speaker Beatrice Elachi’s decision to resign seems to have been a major win for a section of city County politicians.

Just moments after she rendered her resignation, governor Mike Sonko was the first one to activate the celebration mode, with a series of praise and worship songs posted on his social media handles.

Later on in the day, Sonko held a press conference top throw blames at Elachi, arguing that she was the cause of all the problems at City Hall.

Sonko even argued that Elachi was being wrongly used by some people at President Kenyatta’s office to frustrate the operations of the County government.

But is it only Sonko who celebrated Elachi’s Tuesday morning exit?

Well, some MCAs of the troubled Nairobi County Assembly are said to have retreated for a brief party along a Thika Road hotel shortly after speaker Elachi threw in the towel.

According to a report by a local daily, a cross-section of ward reps celebrated the exit of the embattled speaker by toasting and tossing down glasses of wine over nyama choma, despite the ban on the sale of alcohol.

The venue of the party is owned by a city politician who has been a top gun, pushing for Elachi’s removal.

The party was held in a hurry within two hours. MCAs were then allowed to leave after they agreed on a rendezvous outside Nairobi in the coming weeks.

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Politics

How Elachi Will Bounce Back After Resigning as Nairobi Assembly Speaker

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi has resigned as Nairobi County Assembly speaker.

Her Deputy and Ruai MCA John Kamangu has taken over in an acting capacity.

While tendering her resignation this morning, Elachi said that she was moving on to a new season in her political career and journey.

She also noted that she was going back to her Dagoretti North constituents. Is this her next target? Will she battle out Simba Arati in 2022 general elections?

Well, whilst she maintains that she is going back to her constituents, Elachi is most likely to be appointed for another post in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.

Ever since President Kenyatta formed the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) and Director General Mohamed Badi, Elachi has been supportive, even as governor Mike Sonko and his allied MCAs tried to fight Badi.

While resigning, Elachi thanked President Kenyatta for giving her the opportunity to serve Nairobi for the last three years and said she hoped to serve in his administration in any other capacity in the near future.

Well, does this indicate that she is aware of an appointment awaiting her in the near future?

Well, she asked the assembly to stand firm and support Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director-General Mohammed Badi in transforming the capital.

“That is the critical agenda..the legacy for our President and I believe he would be proud to see us support him. If I ever did wrong, within the duties I was given, I ask for forgiveness,” she said.

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Crime & InvestigationsLatest News

Ex-Kiambu Governor Waititu Accused of Grabbing a Street in Nairobi CBD

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Kiambu County governor Ferdinand Waititu is yet again on the spotlight for allegedly grabbing one of the streets in Nairobi CBD.

Waititu is alleged to have grabbed an area along Titar Lane that joins Tubman road and Biashara street.

Controversial blogger Robert Alai on Thursday August 6, 2020 shared the photos of the allegedly grabbed area, calling on the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) to intervene.

Alai further revealed how Waititu has constructed a concrete staircase and put up a gate to block the public from using the lane.

Alai also alleged that Waititu has grabbed the area to serve his newly opened Salehe hotel.

“Former governor Waititu has apparently grabbed this area. This is Titar Lane that joins Tubman rd and Biashara st. He has constructed a concrete staircase and put up a gate to serve his newly opened Salehe hotel. Therefore blocking it to public use,” Alai posted.

This is not however, the first time Waititu is finding himself in such scandals.

In 2019, the former County boss was accused of using his office position to take land away from a widow.

Investigations revealed that a prime property belonging to Ms Cecilia Mbugua was fraudulently transferred to Ms Esther Nyatu through the office of the governor and the Waititu himself.

Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) Chairperson Florence Kajuju handed over title deeds back to Ms Mbugua following an admission by Waititu of his role in taking away the land worth Sh100 million.

The commission’s investigations revealed that two properties – Thika Municipality/BlockXI/877 and Thika Municipality/BlockXI/878 – belonging to Ms Mbugua, were transferred to Ms Nyatu, in a process facilitated by Waititu.

The investigation followed a complaint filed with the commission on March 5, 2019.

Kiambu County land officials revealed that Mr Waititu facilitated the transfer and provided all the required documents.

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Politics

Revealed: The Tough Demands And Ambush Uhuru Gave Sonko in Power Handover Deal

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The deal between President Uhuru Kenyatta and governor Mike Sonko to handover Nairobi City County to National Government was characterized by tough demands and an ambush on the part of the Nairobi County Government, details have revealed.

When Sonko left his home to come to the city, he was only prepared to meet Nairobi MCAs at his Upper Hill office and had no idea the day would end with his powers significantly neutered.

At around 11am, President Uhuru through State House Comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua summoned Sonko to the house on the hill – giving him only 15 minutes to show up.

So unprepared was Sonko that he is reported to have won his suit and tie on the way to State House.

State House had also summoned acting County Secretary Justus Kathenge who was equally given a strict deadline.

At State House, Sonko and Kathenge found President Uhuru, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa, and Leboo Morintat whom the Nairobi Governor had fired a day earlier from the position of County Secretary.

It was at the meeting that Sonko was informed that the only way to keep Nairobi County running was to hand over functions.

It is reported that Uhuru was keen to avoid a by-election in Nairobi which was likely to happen if Sonko was impeached in the process that had already kicked.

A by-election in Nairobi would drain the already struggling National Treasury.

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Politics

Ruto Reveals More Unknown Details in Uhuru-Sonko Nairobi Takeover Deal

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Deputy President William Ruto has revealed more details surrounding the takeover of Nairobi City County by the National Government.

The DP has spoken on the unexpected move by Governor Mike Sonko to hand over the County functions to President Uhuru Kenyatta led government.

DP Ruto disclosed that President Kenyatta met with the Council of Governors and IEBC Commissioners before the move was actualized.

“The management of Nairobi city county has been a major source of concern for GoK and Nairobians,” Dr Ruto stated.

“HE the President met with CoG & IBEC chairs in consultation with other actors to facilitate the agreements signed,” he added.

The Deputy President also urged all stakeholders to “support this effort to ensure our city functions“.

Sonko’s move to surrender key county functions to the national government was considered the least disruptive of the options available to address the leadership crisis at City Hall.

Sonko has hence defended his decision to hand over some county functions to the national government.

In a statement posted in the wee hours of Thursday morning, Sonko — who is facing corruption charges in court — said the needs of Nairobi County are unique compared to other devolved units.

“My government set out on a fact-finding mission that saw us benchmark and take lessons from other jurisdictions across the world including Washington DC in the US and Abuja in Nigeria. From these case studies, we established that cities and metropolis the size of Nairobi are best served jointly by devolved units and central governments,” he said.

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Politics

Sonko Breaks Silence Hours After Handing Nairobi to Uhuru

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Embattled Nairobi County governor Mike Sonko has broken his silence hours after handing over the administration of Nairobi County to the national government.

Sharing a video of himself pleading with President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene in the murky Nairobi county administration situation,  Sonko dispelled rumors that the role was forcefully taken away from him, owing to his inability to effectively execute his duties as a county head, after he was blocked from office by the court.

In the video, Sonko pours out his heart to the head of state, saying that cartels rooted deep within Nairobi had been interfering with his service delivery.

He further asks the president to assist him to weed out corrupt untouchables in the county, offering to give up roles such as revenue management and county planning to the national government.

”Tunaomba uingilie hiyo kazi mheshimiwa rais. Vile ulifanya KRA ukapeleka wafisadi nyumbani, naomba msaada wako Nairobi mheshimiwa rais (we request that just as you did at KRA and sent corrupt officials packing, you also need to assist me in Nairobi),” Sonko said, during the launch of the Nairobi Expressway in Oct. 2019.

‘‘Kama ni revenue chukua huko national government, kama ni planning mheshimiwa rais ichukue pia iende huko national government (Please take up the revenue and planning functions as the national government)” he added.

In his social media post on Tuesday, just hours after State House announced the surprise move, the governor promised the Nairobi electorate service delivery, putting aside political and court slideshows aside.

”TBT video. Service delivery to the great people of Nairobi kwanza Siasa na kesi baadae (service delivery first then politics and other cases will follow),” the politician wrote.

Among the roles taken away from Sonko’s government, following Tuesday’s deal with the national government, are county health services, county transport services, county public works, utilities and ancillary services, and county planning and development.

It is still unclear what mandate the governor will execute going forward.

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Politics

Murkomen to Challenge Uhuru’s Move to Take Over Nairobi City County

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen will tomorrow (Wednesday) in the senate challenge the transfer of Nairobi County government’s key functions to national government.

The Elgeyo Marakwet senator says the matter is such a weighty that requires deep deflection.

Murkomen will make a comprehensive statement in the Senate tomorrow and according to him, the matter will occupy most of the senators’ debating time.

“The matter of transfer of functions from Nairobi County to National Government is such a weighty matter that requires deep deflection. I will be making a comprehensive statement in the Senate tomorrow and this matter will occupy most of our debating time tomorrow. Thank You,” he tweeted.

On Tuesday evening, embattled Nairobi governor Mike Sonko surrendered his county’s key functions to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

A statement from State House noted that Sonko and Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa signed an agreement.

Sonko handed over the functions of the County to the National Government, pursuant to Article 187 of the Constitution.

According to the Constitution, 1) A function or power of government at one level may be transferred to a government at the other level by agreement between the governments if:

(a) the function or power would be more effectively performed or exercised by the receiving government; and(b) the transfer of the function or power is not prohibited by the legislation under which it is to be performed or exercised.

The signing of the agreement was also witnessed by the Speaker of the Senate,  Kenneth Lusaka and the Attorney General Paul Kihara.

The National Government therefore, will take over the following functions of the Nairobi County Government:

i) County Health services

ii) County Transport services

iii) County Public Works, Utilities and Ancillary services

iv) County Government Planning and Development

State House said that this will ensure Nairobi residents receive services efficiently.

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Politics

Sonko has been sponsoring chaos in the assembly, ousted majority leader claims

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Former Nairobi County Assembly Majority leader Abdi Guyo claims governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has been sponsoring chaos that have been going on at City Hall.

This, Guyo claims is in Sonko’s efforts to divide the MCAs.

Guyo and speaker Beatrice Elachi appeared before the Senate’s Devolution and Intergovernmental Committee at different times on Thursday over the chaos that has rocked the city assembly.

“The problem we have in Nairobi is the governor. The chaos in the County Assembly is well choreographed so as not to have proper oversight,” he said.

The Matopeni/Spring Valley MCA told the Laikipia Senator John Kinyua-chaired committee that the county chief has been intimidating and blackmailing members who are critical of his administration. 

He told the committee that the governor has an army of loyal goons, some of whom have been appointed to plum positions in the county, who he has been unleashing to whoever questions his leadership style.

Guyo, who was removed from the powerful majority leader seat by Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju on Monday following weeks of chaos marked by teargas and gunshots, said City Hall was headed for the dogs unless President Uhuru Kenyatta intervenes.

“The only person who can restore order in Nairobi is our party leader himself. The governor cannot do it because he knows that if he does, then we will properly oversight him,” he said.

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Politics

Census 2019: Nairobi county leads in number of intersex gender

by Gabriel Omolo
written by Gabriel Omolo

Nairobi county has the highest number of intersex people in the entire country.

This is according to the recently released census results that were presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday.

According to the statistics, Nairobi topped with 245 intersex people followed closely by Kiambu county with 135 then Nakuru with 95.

This year was the first time in history the intersex gender is being featured in the national census exercise as the world fights for equality and inclusion of all.

Tana River county however had the lowest number of intersex gender in the country with only 2 out of its total population of 315,943 people.

Lamu county had only four making it the second county with the least number of intersex gender.Out of the total enumerated population of the country that stands at 47.6 million people, 1,524 are intersex with 23,580,56 being male and 24,014,716 being female.

“This is the first census to be conducted under the 2010 constitution and fully funded by my administration,” said president Uhuru.

The census exercise was conducted between the night of 24th of August and 31st of August.

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Latest News

Dandora dumpsite to become a recreational park

by The Star
written by The Star

Nairobi County Government intends to convert the Dandora dumpsite into a recreational park after it is decommissioned.

This is one of the highlights of the County Annual Development Plan 2020-2021. Previously the authorities intended to relocate the dumpsite.

CADP says methane will be generated from the residual waste at the dumpsite for power generation.

In July last year, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko said an energy recycling plant will cost the county Sh28 billion.

Sonko had at the time said the county was in the final stages of awarding a contract for the construction of the plant. There is no contract one and a quarter years later.

There will be no need to relocate the dumpsite since the recycling plant will convert the waste into 160MW clean and renewable energy per day.

However, in August this year, there were reports that the waste-to-energy recycling plant could take longer to be set up.

The county government was said to be scouting for technology specifically designed for the circular model of waste management proposed by authorities.

Yesterday, County Executive for Environment Vesca Kangogo said, “The Dandora dumpsite will still be operational but the dumpsite will be eventually decommissioned in an environmentally sound manner and eventually turned into a park.”

The county plans to have two landfills at Kamukunji and Lang’ata fore waste that cannot be recycled after the phase-out of the Dandora dumpsite.

Before then, a feasibility study will be done to come up with recommendations for a Resettlement Action Plan for households likely to be affected since the sites will be near human settlements, Kangogo said.

Kangogo told the Star that consultations were ongoing with the national government and the Public-Private Partnership Unit on the best way to get an investor to do the project.

Dandora dumpsite holds over 1.8 million tons of solid waste against 500,000 tons capacity.

More than 2,500 tonnes of waste is deposited at the site daily.

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