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{
"id": 978571,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/978571/?format=api",
"text_counter": 286,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Sakaja",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13131,
"legal_name": "Johnson Arthur Sakaja",
"slug": "johnson-arthur-sakaja"
},
"content": "I brought six other Statements in this House; on 17th May, 2018, 5th of July, 2018, 13th of November, 2018, 5th of December 2018 and the 3rd of December, 2018. I am just giving the context. Following the charging of the governor on corruption related charges and a similar ruling that inhibited the proper performance of his tasks during this period, I urgently sought a Special Sitting of the Senate on the 13th of December 2019. In a letter addressed to you, I pointed out that the exceptional situation that had arisen, affects Nairobi City County and creates an unprecedented state of affairs that requires the urgent attention of the Senate. I urged you to exercise your jurisdiction and call for an urgent Special Sitting of the Senate to discuss the exceptional circumstances prevailing in Nairobi with the aim of the Senate giving direction and dissolving to take legal or legislative action in the interest of the 4.7 million people of Nairobi. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as we all know, this did not happen. Meanwhile, the state of affairs in Nairobi has continued to deteriorate. The residents have continued to suffer. The governor has been unable to perform his duties because of the charges against him. There is no deputy governor. The vetting of the nominee for the position of deputy governor was stopped by the court a few weeks ago. In my opinion, there are very few options left for consideration. As Sen. Orengo has said, there are certain quarters that had proposed suspension of Nairobi City County government. Under exceptional circumstances which was a route through the Summit, a suspension of the Nairobi County Government would have led to a by-election of all the 85 Members of County Assembly (MCAs), the Governor and the Deputy Governor of Nairobi. Were we prepared, are we prepared for this? Not in this day and age. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are those, too, who have proposed impeachment. There is an impeachment Motion at the county assembly. As a politician, I have said it in public, based on what is happening in Nairobi, I would have been the first to support an impeachment of the Governor of Nairobi. Politically, I would want him as far away from the county government as possible, but as a leader, the stability and continuity of this county, the delivery of services to the people who voted for me is more important. That is why I felt that impeachment is also not a viable option. I have urged the MCAs who might know political issues out there, that no matter what they may think, I will not support them impeaching the governor right now. There is no deputy governor and we do not want an election in Nairobi for the office of the Governor. The third option which is not the best option, as has been said by The Senate Majority Leader and the Senate Minority Leader, was to make sure that the people of Nairobi continue receiving critical functions by way of transfer through agreement, pursuant to Article 187 of the Constitution. I wish to confirm to this House in full disclosure, as the Senator who took oath of office to protect the interest of counties, this particular county and its government, that indeed, I was consulted by both levels of government on these three options."
}