Nairobi MCAs want regeneration team to address leadership crisis
George Kebaso
The County Assembly of Nairobi wants the City Regeneration Committee be revamped to address the leadership crisis that threatens service delivery.
During a special sitting led by Speaker Beatrice Elachi, Members of the County Assembly agreed to address the crisis occasioned by the absence of a governor and the deputy.
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Governor Mike Sonko was last year barred from accessing his office after he was arraigned with corruption-related cases.
Sonko, who had not appointed a deputy since Polycarp Igathe resigned in January 2018, early this week nominated Anne Kanau Mwenda to be his deputy.
Questions have, however, been raised about the legality of the move, with the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji saying the governor had violated his bail terms by purporting to pick a deputy.
During the meeting, it emerged the County’s revenue collection had taken a nosedive from Sh4.4 billion last year to Sh2 billion in the same time last year.
“There is no continuity at the Executive as most of the CECs are in acting capacity, and therefore, not able to articulate important issues arising out of the poor service delivery to Nairobi residents that we have witnessed for several months now,” said Minority Leader David Mberia.
Unnecessary delays
Mberia said the leadership crisis at City Hall had slowed down delivery of services, and subjected the county government to unnecessary delays to respond to concerns of the city residents.
“Due to this crisis, the revenue collection has declined significantly. It is therefore imperative that, as the County Assembly, provide leadership,” he added.
For the second time this week, the Speaker moved to assert herself by directing the rejuvenation of the committee appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta at the end of 2017, but that became moribund because of reported lack of funds; supremacy battles, mistrust amongst line agencies and infightings among officials.
“Due to the good work that has been done by the Nairobi Regeneration Committee appointed by the President, I direct that the same is revamped and proceed its work together with the County Executive to ensure effective service delivery to the residents of Nairobi,” she said after three hours of heated debate at the County Assembly’s special sitting.
Some of the services the Speaker listed as affected most the ongoing crisis include water provision, roads, which members noted have been dilapidated, solid waste management and unpaid pending bills worth billions of shillings.
“I direct the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company to provide water rationing schedule to the residents of Nairobi; the Executive to ensure they partner with Kenya Urban Roads Authority in tarmacking and maintenance of the county roads,” she said.
The Speaker also directed the Executive to fast track clearance of all pending bills, particularly for Youths, Women and Persons With Disabilities.
