BY SHADRACK NYAKOE
City reps have vowed to hasten the vetting of Governor Mike Sonko’s deputy.
On Wednesday, the reps held a Special Sitting to deliberate On Sonko’s Deputy Nominee.
During a special sitting on January 9, Elachi tabled the name of Anne Kananu.
However, on Wednesday, a disagreement occurred when a section of ODM reps led by Minority Leader David Mberia walked out of the House in protest.
Mberia and his group said it’s an illegal matter being discussed in the Assembly as the process was wrong following the barring of Sonko from office.
On Tuesday, High Court Judge Mumbi Ngugi declined to issue orders to Stop Governor Sonko from nominating his Deputy Governor making the process legal.
Majority leader Charles Thuo who is also the Ward Rep for Dandora Area IV said the vacuum in in the county executive has slowed down development of policies and delivery of services.
Thuo said poor delivery of services has been evidenced by lackluster implementation of County Development Budget.
“We should work tirelessly to ensure that our people get the required services. It’s my request that the Speaker allows the name of the Deputy Governor nominee be send to the Select Committee on appointment for vetting,” Thuo said.
He added that lawmakers who walked out want to continue “looting money” as a result of the current crisis at City Hall.
Former Majority leader and Matopeni rep Abdi Guyo said Sonko is not convicted and is still the Governor of Nairobi.
Guyo said Sonko has the mandate to appoint his deputy but if the MCAs will not accept his nominee, they will send him or her back and he will nominate another one.
Dandora Area II MCA Silas Matara said the name of the nominee was received on January 9 and that within 60 days, they will have completed the process.
The process includes vetting, approval by the County Assembly, publication of the nominee as Deputy Governor and taking oath of office.
Elachi who convened the special sitting said Nairobi is in a precarious situation and that she had sought advisory from the Attorney General and the Supreme court which is yet to be received.
Elachi said she’s not interested in being Governor and there’s no vacancy in that office.
She said Sonko is the Governor of Nairobi.
She also directed that the nominee should be ascertained if she meets IEBC, and EACC requirements to fill the position of the Deputy Governor.
The Appointments committee will also ascertain whether the nominee meets all legal requirements relating to persons eligible to hold the said position.
The committee must comply with all applicable legislations relating to nomination or filling the Deputy Governor’s position.
Elachi also directed the appointment committee to determine whether there are court cases to prejudice the process going forward.
She adjourned the House to February 20.