The County Assembly of Nairobi is set for a major showdown as the city’s Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and County Speaker are at loggerheads over administrative issues at the county.
Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai has come out guns blazing to condemn the actions of County Assembly Speaker Kennedy Okeyo Ng’ondi whom he accused of undermining the functions of the MCAs.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker, Alai lamented about the Speaker’s treatment of MCAs. “I am compelled to write this letter to raise serious concerns regarding your ongoing actions that undermine the legislative functions and oversight role of the Nairobi County Assembly,” Alai stated.
The first-time MCA stated that the Speaker’s actions were dealing a major dent to the capacity of MCAs to deliver on their mandates. He further stated that this had the knock-on effect of allowing the county government’s leadership operations to go unchecked thus affecting Nairobi residents.
“These actions stifle members’ ability to perform their duties and pave the way for unchecked corruption, profoundly affecting the people we serve,” the statement read in part.
The MCA who made his name as a controversial blogger particularly highlighted the Speaker’s supposed disregard for his request to be removed from all county committees and tied this to the bigger problem that was facing Nairobi County.
“In my previous communication, I requested to be removed from all committees. To date, you have not honored this request nor provided any justification for the delay. This failure to act is emblematic of the significant issues facing the Assembly, where legal processes are often disregarded, and members are denied the opportunity to serve independently and without coercion," he added.
MCA Alai also pointed out Speaker Okeyo’s prolonged use of Standing Order 94 terming his use as a misapplication of the rule. Alai claimed that the Speaker used the rule to ‘silence’ the MCAs from speaking about pertinent issues about the County.
“Your consistent use of Standing Order 94 to gag members from addressing issues to do with corruption within the County is troubling. This order was never intended to serve as a tool to silence elected officials from discussing matters of public interest, particularly those to do with corruption and mismanagement,” he added.
Standing Order 94 states that, “A Member shall not refer to the substance of the proceedings of a Select Committee before the Committee has made its report to the County Assembly.”
The County Assembly Speaker in his defense reiterated that it was his duty to ensure that the Standing Orders are observed as they form the basis of the procedures of the County Assembly.
“While facilitating and presiding over the execution of the Assembly’s mandate, I am required to enforce the observance of these Standing Orders including protection of proceedings of the Assembly and its Committees.” the Speaker added.
MCA Alai compelled the Speaker to radically change his ways and implored him to encourage rather than suppress the MCAs in the delivery of their duty to Nairobians. He urged the Speaker to promote transparency and warned him of the long-term ramifications of promoting corruption.
“I hereby urge you to cease the unlawful and unjustifiable suppression of members’ oversight duties. You must support the autonomy and rights of Assembly members, as they respect your role as Speaker. Your decisions to shield illegalities today may have long-term consequences, for no leader can stand above the law indefinitely.” he said.
