An award of tender for garbage collection to the Sonko Rescue Team according to the Daily Nation is alleged to be at the center of the short-lived political marriage between Nairobi governor Mike Sonko and his deputy Polycarp Igathe.
A source close to Mr Igathe claimed that the two were vouching for separate entities but the Sonko Rescue Team, a non-charitable organisation which is a brainchild of the governor was awarded.
The other sign of mistrust between the two occurred when the deputy governor approached his boss with a proposal to terminate the Sh23.2 million contract awarded to Web Tribe Ltd, Jambo Pay’s parent company, which was collecting parking revenue, and award to it to another firm.
This was in line with their manifesto in which they promised to cancel the Jambo Pay contract within 100 days in office after Auditor-General Edward Ouko faulted the tendering process, stating the company won the tender even though it was not one of the lowest bidders.
[caption caption="Nairobi deputy Polycarp Igathe"]
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The source further revealed that the governor received the proposal but rather than act on their pledge, he continued with the Jambo Pay deal.
“When he went back to the governor to inquire about the proposal, Mr Sonko told him off and he was told Jambo Pay will continue offering services,” stated the source according to the Daily Nation.
The next battlefront was on the payment of pending bills and contractors that were undertaking various projects.
Pending bills at City Hall stood at Sh58 billion as was revealed by the governor during his address at the opening of the county assembly in September.
The source claimed Mr Igathe wanted the bills paid without audit while the governor wanted an audit as he considered the amount high, an overruling that irked Mr Igathe.
[caption caption="Nairobi governor Mike Sonko"]
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There was also the message revelation where the governor shared 23 screenshots of his conversations with his deputy, Mr Sonko only made one-word replies, laying bare differences in priorities between the two.
