Nairobi speaker accused of gagging MCA’s over failed affordable housing projects
The Nairobi City County assembly speaker Kennedy Ng’ondi has been accused of gagging Members of the County assembly against commenting and asking questions about the actions of the Sakaja-led administration.
Speaking to The Informer Media Group, Kileleshwa Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Robert Alai said the ongoing actions by Ng’ondi undermine the legislative functions and oversight role of the assembly.
“The ongoing actions by the speaker to restrict members from commenting or saying anything about the executive is undermining the legislative functions and oversight role of the Nairobi County Assembly. The actions stifle members’ ability to perform their duties and pave the way for unchecked corruption, profoundly impacting the people we serve.” Alai stated.
Alai stated that the speaker’s consistent use of Standing Order 94 to gag members from addressing issues of corruption within the County is troubling adding that the order is being used to silence elected officials from discussing matters of public interest, particularly those involving corruption and mismanagement.
“The speaker has repeatedly threatened members who dare to raise points of order or question the Assembly’s integrity on the floor. These intimidations only weaken our collective mandate to represent and protect Nairobi residents. The tactics of stifling debate and discouraging transparency are undemocratic and unconstitutional, as they disregard the autonomy granted to us by the people who elected us.” Alai added.
According to Alai, there is a lot of mismanagement under the Sakaja administration that the city legislators need to bring him to account for.
The speaker recently in a statement to the house requested the MCAs to avoid speaking about the Jevanjee and Pangani housing projects saying that the matter is being handled by the select committee on planning.
Ngondi stated that the matter has elicited a lot of public reactions and that they should not raise more questions on the same until the committee carrying out the investigations finalizes and tables the report.
In September, Ngara MCA Chege Mwaura requested a statement from the planning committee regarding the urban renewal housing project which has now stalled for over two years.
“I referred a Statement request by Chege Mwaura to the Sectoral Committee on Lands, Planning, and Housing regarding the ongoing Pangani and Jevanjee affordable housing projects. The matter that has attracted a lot of public interest and enthusiasm from Members of this Assembly, and several Members have since approached my office seeking to raise further statement requests and/or Notices of Motions on the same matter in a manner that insinuates pre-emption of debate. Given the provisions of Standing Order 94 cited above, I direct that all matters around this issue be handled by the said Committee which is hereby directed to expedite its investigations and Table a comprehensive report as directed.” Ngondi stated.
“Consequently, going forward, I will strictly be guided and apply the provisions of the law, the Standing Orders, and practice whenever business related to this matter and any other matter of this nature is brought to my attention for consideration and approval.” He added.
This comes as a section of the legislators have called on president Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to intervene and save the situation in Nairobi.
The legislators claim that governor Sakaja and his team are not working to deliver the promises they made to Nairobians.
They stated that if things go wrong in the city, it is the president that will be blamed.
“The Kenya Kwanza administration made promises to Nairobians two years ago. As of now, the city is out of order with hawkers everywhere and uncollected garbage. We call upon President William Ruto to come and save the situation in our city.” Deputy minority leader Waithera Chege stated.
The lawmakers have said they are ready to receive directions from above (President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga) and ensure that order is restored in the city and everything running well.
