Nairobi News

The Nairobi County Assembly’s ad hoc committee tasked with investigating the poor revenue performance is in limbo after it emerged that party interests have become a subject of discussion.

The 13-member committee was established in November under the leadership of Majority Leader Peter Imwatok, who was elected under the Azimio La Umoja umbrella to represent the people of Makongeni Ward in the 2022 election.

Even as the committee wraps up its mandate, it has emerged that the politics of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition have become a stumbling block for the committee as some members of the ruling party started skipping meetings.

As the committee chairman came out to defend the absence of some members from the sittings, the secret meeting between the executive and Minority Leader Anthony Kiragu Karanja erupted.

Mr Kiragu is a member of the committee, but his absence has raised eyebrows, and the chairman has threatened to take action against him.

“The committee has summoned the leader of the Minority to explain further before the committee, failure which the committee will take stun action against him, especially using the standing orders,” Imwatok said.

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Mr Imwatok reiterated that the committee is still intact despite having only nine members in the last meeting out of 13 members, saying that some were out of the county for sports activity, which is taking place in Kisumu.

Earlier on, Mr Kiragu told the media that the committee was on a mission to seek money and was no longer interested in the main objective on the table.

However, Mr Imwatok said that the committee is still on track and that those who are behind the diversion of public funds must be held culpable.

Imwatok also said that those who have their interest, including Kiragu who is alleged to have met with Governor Johnson Sakaja recently, will have to step aside and allow the committee to finish its job.

“If a member contradicts the committee, he must declare his interest. You cannot be purporting to be part of that committee.”

The executive side of Governor Sakaja has also been asked to stop any attempts to interfere with the ongoing committee session, claiming that he has received calls and invitations to sit at the table with the executive over the same.

“I’m giving a clear warning to the entire executive. Anyone who interferes with the operation of this committee, I’ll address him or her by their name and what he or she is doing to derail this committee.”

The committee was established to carry out its investigation and table the report before the House in 60 days, which is not going to happen as the chairperson hints at seeking an extension for 30 days.

Imwatok stated that they have carried out close to 80 per cent of their task, and that seeking the extension is meant to give a second opportunity to the people who failed to appear before them, including former NMS Director General Major General Mohammed Badi.

The main purpose of the committee was to find the reasons why the county revenues have been declining, the nature, strengths and weaknesses of the Nairobi Revenue System, and to propose legal, policy and administrative interventions for improvement of local revenue collection.