Stage set for removal of Kidero’s transport minister
A charged city assembly on Tuesday paved the way for the sacking of Nairobi County executive member for Roads and Transport Mr Evans Ondieki.
A motion moved by Ngara MCA Chege Mwaura was passed without much opposition from both the Cord and Jubilee coalitions with MCAs united in calling for his dismissal due to poor management of the docket.
Mr Ondiek was accused of frustrating road works in the city, thus setting the MCAs against the public.
“The docket is the nerve centre of any change we want to bring in the city. Mr Ondieki must be sacked for this county to move forward on infrastructure development,” said Mr Mwaura.
Electric mood
The mood was electric for the motion, which was earlier signed by a record 115 members, way above the 40 signatures required by law.
Sarang’ombe MCA Pius Otieno was thrown out after questioning the integrity of those behind the motion to remove Mr Ondieki.
“Mr Ondieki has failed in his short tenure. We have been frustrated by his performance and lack of respect for members,” said Eastleigh South MCA Nelson Masiga, who seconded the motion.
But a defiant Ondieki said he stands by his word: “I will stand by the truth to the end. I am grateful to those who have done the same since the truth is the most important value and the best homage we can pay to the truth is to use it.”
Mr Ondieki’s troubles with the MCAs started when he asked for five roads for repair in each ward that is yet to be implemented.
Said Mr Mwaura, “He asked for the roads knowing there was no budget for them.”
Mr Ondieki’s woes increased after he announced a plan to introduce 200 buses in a Rapid Reform Initiative that would reduce bus fare in the city.
Further, MCAs accused the minister of inciting members of the public to demonstrate against them for planning to oust him.
“He threatened our security. He must go,” said Karura /Muthaiga MCA Kamau Thuo.
Kahawa West MCA Patrick Ngaruiya said that Mr Ondieki had failed to observe procedure by going public on the bus project even before informing the MCAs.
Kilimani MCA Moses Ogeto and his Kayole South counterpart Elizabeth Manyala were the lone voices that defended Mr Ondieki.
Speaker Alex ole Magelo directed that a five-man committee report to the House in ten days on the allegations.