The Chief Administrative Secretary for Public Service and Gender, Beatrice Elachi, has revealed how Nairobi City County’s revenues are siphoned through a web of powerful and well-connected individuals.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV Tuesday, November 16, Elachi alleged that the individuals do the work of City Hall such as issuance of licenses, with the money collected ending up in private bank accounts.
Terming them as the ‘System’, Elachi says that the individuals are so powerful that it is almost impossible for leaders to do anything without involving them.
“We have a 'system' that decides how to work within Nairobi, how to give you a license to build or repair your house,” she narrated.
The former Nairobi City County Assembly Speaker added that she was aware that there was constant conflict between the Nairobi Metropolitan Services leader, Gen. Mohamed Badi, and the system, with Badi trying to dislodge them from the city's operations.
She explained that the conflict had culminated in a crisis in the issuance of licenses, which has seen most activities such as construction delayed in the city.
“It is not as easy as you think. Even I know that if I walk into Badi’s office today, he will tell me that there are some things he wonders how they happen,” she stated.
The outspoken politician also revealed that most people were scared of speaking about the system, despite being familiar with individuals carrying out all the shady deals and wielding enormous power.
Elachi further stated that the existence of these individuals had made it difficult for authorities to dispense their mandate, as the leaders must keep the interest of the system at the heart in whatever they do.
The existence of the cartels at City Hall has been a topic of discussion with leaders vowing to flush them out with little or no success at all.
Former Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko, who staged a spirited campaign to get rid of the cartels he accused of influencing the City Hall affairs, encountered a myriad of hurdles that allegedly catalyzed his ouster.
