In what is believed to be a plan to save Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko, the County Assembly was alleged to have sent some MCAs for a tour to Dubai.
In a report by Daily Nation on Tuesday, December 24, 2019, the 18 MCAs, who were scheduled to leave the country in 11 days, we're trying to avoid a special sitting to discuss the county's woes.
On Monday, December 23, ODM MCAs are said to have given Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi a seven-day ultimatum to call for a special sitting.
Sources who spoke to the publication stated that the Dubai trip, which was approved by the Finance and Economic Planning chief officer, was scheduled for the same time the ODM leaders wanted the special sitting held.
The ODM MCAs are believed to be mulling the impeachment of the Nairobi governor, who is facing corruption charges.
Should the 18 legislators go for their tour, then, there would be no quorum to debate Sonko's ouster.
Sonko's Kiambu counterpart, Governor Ferdinand Waititu was impeached on Thursday, December 19, 2019.
In the motion, the governor was accused of violating the public procurement rules and conflict of interest after it emerged that tenders in the county were awarded to companies owned by relatives.
He was also accused of breaching the county procedures by hiring casual workers without the involvement of the County Service Board.
Waititu, on his part, stated that the ouster was unprocedural, in a letter addressed to Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka.
“For the reason that the (total) number of the MCAs is 92, thus the statutory quorum required under Section 33 (2) of the County Governments Act to pass such a special motion is 62 members. However, the members' attendance was 57,” read the letter.
The communication further indicated that 35 MCAs were at Lake Bogoria Lodge and they swore affidavits to the effect that they were absent during the proceedings.
“The house could not have attained the 63 votes for yes. Suffice to note that none of the MCAs would have been available to vote at 1430 hours.
