Nairobi Members of County Assembly (MCAs) have been warned of serious consequences for their recent U-turn on impeachment proceedings against Governor Johnson Sakaja.
On Wednesday, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei raised concerns about the impeachment drama in Nairobi, warning the MCAs that their indecision would undermine the integrity of the Nairobi County Assembly.
Describing the impeachment attempt as "a serious fluke and political blunder", Cherargei insisted that initiating plans to oust a county boss, only to abandon them, damages the Assembly's credibility.
“To Nairobi MCAs, that was a serious fluke and political blunder that shall cost the integrity of the operations of the Nairobi City County Assembly,” Cherargei warned.
“Impeachment proceedings are a political process. They are neither civil nor criminal. The threats to Governor Sakaja were hot, but didn’t have a noble intention of accountability.”
Cherargei's remarks came in the wake of behind-the-scenes political negotiations which saw the impeachment plans against Sakaja by MCAs put on ice.
On Tuesday, September 2, President William Ruto and ODM Party leader Raila Odinga held separate meetings with their respective party MCAs to diffuse political tensions that had been building around City Hall.
On Sunday and Monday, both ODM and UDA MCAs had gathered over 70 signatures out of the 123-member house, with a bid to present an impeachment motion at the Nairobi County Assembly. They required at least 82 signatures to table an official motion of impeachment.
Key grievances that they had raised included the failure of the first-term Governor to fulfil campaign promises, delays in disbursing bursaries, and the stalled Ward Development Fund. They also accused him of neglecting the needs of Nairobi residents and ignoring the priorities of the county’s wards.
However, following Ruto and Raila's intervention, the MCAs resolved to shelve the motion for 60 days to allow for Governor Sakaja to "get his house in order".
Cherargei, in his criticism, urged the MCAs to act decisively within the 60-day period, hinting that proceeding with impeachment proceedings was the only way to restore trust in the Nairobi County Assembly.
“To Nairobi City County MCAs, 60 days shall lapse, and you shall do nothing about it unless you impeach the governor!” Cherargei said.
