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We were sidelined in smart bus idea, County Reps


An idea that could see Nairobians pay a constant bus fare of Sh35  from the CBD to any estate has flown into trouble.

The Smart Bus idea floated by the Roads and Transport County Executive Member Evans Ondieki is facing resistance at the Assembly with some MCAs accusing Mr Ondieki of not involving them in the plan.

On Tuesday, Mr Ondieki had a rough time when he faced members of the Roads, Public Works and Transport committee chaired by South C MCA Diana Kapeen.

MCAs Maurice Gali Otieno (Nairobi West), Stephen Kambi (Dandora 2) and Maxwell Ochieng (Korogocho) led the assault on the executive with Mr  Otieno walking out of the committee in a huff.

Frustration

Mr Ochieng accused Mr Ondieki of making public the idea before consulting the committee. But Mr Ondieki said the plan emanated from the Executive and it had not reached the stage requiring input of the Assembly.

The session saw the Roads chief officer Ms Christine Ogut blocked from addressing the committee. 

“She will have her day. Today, it was Mr Ondieki’s day with the committee,” said Ms Kapeen.

Mr Ondieki earlier expressed frustration at the procurement procedures at that he said had made his work difficult.

He fell short of naming senior officials in his docket who were turning down his requests for project money.

This claim was supported by Kabiru-ini MCA Clarence Munga. Mr Ondieki’s war of words with MCAs emanated from his earlier claim that some of them had been compromised by industry players to fight the project.

He refused to withdraw the claim that some MCAs were bribed in Naivasha last month by matatu owners.