The Nairobi City County Assembly is on the spot for gagging a section of the media and specific journalists as the investigations into the decline of county revenue by ad hoc committee continues.
It came as a shock early this week when two top journalists of the Nairobi City County Scribes Association were allegedly suspended from covering the assembly proceedings and committees with no reason as to why they were being suspended.
In a communication by the association ‘self-proclaimed whip’ the two journalists were told not to step in the assembly precincts until advised to do so.
Investigations by The Informer Media Group team established that the Public Relations acting director Brian Yambo received a call from Makongeni MCA and ad hoc committee chairman who doubles as the Majority Leader Peter Imwatok asking him to tell the two journalists that they are suspended.
“I received a call from the Majority Leader yesterday evening (Monday, February 12, 2024) asking me to suspend the two. I do not know the reasons as to why but it is direction and I have to follow.” Yambo stated.
“He asked me to also inform them that before stepping at the assembly, they should look for him.” He added.
The suspension comes after the Standard Journalist wrote an article last week with the headline… “Revenue Probe Stalls after witnesses’ snub.”
Three times witnesses called to appear before the ad hoc committee have failed to appear before them with no replies either.
The committee says it still has hopes of meeting the Ministry of ICT, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, former NMS boss Mohammed Badi, and former State House controller Kinuthia Mbugua who have snubbed them three times with the Interior and Internal Affairs Ministry directing them to contact the statehouse controller and head of public service.
On the other hand, the Nation Media Journalist was allegedly suspended after his colleagues at NTV interviewed the minority leader who stated that the committee was heading nowhere after losing track of what was required of them as they inquired about the color of the servers.
NCCA Speaker Kennedy Ngondi’ condemned the suspension saying it was wrongly done and was never official and that he would be taking the matter seriously next week Monday.
“I’ll handle that issue on Monday. It’s wrong and it was never official.” Ngondi stated.
On Wednesday, the Nairobi City County Assembly MCA’s differed on the extension allowing the ad hoc committee on the decline of revenue collection to extend its mandate for 45 days.
“Standing order 211 (4) (b) reads that an ad hoc committee will not be formed if it deals with a matter that falls under another committee. Revenue falls under the budget committee and I am on record here on Hansard opposing the formation of this committee. The extension should be opposed by my fellow members because we should not be amending laws to suit our needs.” Highrise MCA Kennedy Oyugi said opposing the extension.
However, Makongeni MCA (Peter Imwatok) urged the assembly to allow them extended time citing the recent Senate committee that was investigating the deaths in Shakahola saying that as an assembly they are guided by precedents set by the National Assembly and the Senate hence they would follow suit by seeking an extension for the committee to finish investigations.
“As a county assembly, we are guided by precedents set by the National Assembly. The senate granted the committee investigating Shakahola 90 days to complete their investigations on or before July 26, 2023. The committee sought an extension through a motion adopted on August 1, 2023, and they were granted a 30-day extension to conclude their work and table the report on or before September 5, 2023. Due to the involving nature of events of October 3, 2023, the house granted a further 14 days to table their report on or before October 19, 2023. The precedent has been set by the Senate and the City-County Assembly of Nairobi has no option to borrow from the same under Standing Order 1(2).” He stated.
The committee now has 32 days left for them to table the report.