Chaos as pro-Sonko MCAs attempt to kick out Elachi

Irene Githinji and Alvin Mwangi

Chaos rocked the Nairobi County Assembly yesterday after a section of MCAs attempted to kick out Speaker Beatrice Elachi.

A standoff erupted after the MCAs allied to Governor Mike Sonko attempted to force their way into Elachi’s office in order to serve her with a notice of her impeachment.

The MCAs also wanted to serve Elachi with a court order suspending the appointment of Edward Gichana as the new Clerk to replace embattled incumbent Jacob Ngwele. 

But Elachi locked herself in the office, thwarting the move by the pro-Sonko MCAs.

“We are going to serve her with both the impeachment notice and the court order no matter what.

We will stay put until we give them to her,” some of the MCAs were heard shouting as they were confronted by police officers outside Elachi’s office.

“Elachi must go,” they chanted.

Police lobbed teargas canisters along the corridors leading to the Assembly to disperse the MCAs. 

The action by the MCAs was, however,  followed by  Elachi’s decision to adjourn Assembly sittings until September.

In a notice seen by People Daily, Elachi said her decision to suspend sittings till September 8  was informed by the standoff, that saw law enforcers engage a section of MCAs who forcefully stormed the Speaker’s  office in their new attempt to serve her with the impeachment notice, which had already been signed by 59 MCAs.

“As you have witnessed during today’s morning sittings, there were several attempts by some Members and goons to disrupt the sittings.

Hon. Members such environment cannot allow smooth operation of virtual sittings,” said Elachi.  

Consequently, Elachi said the adjournment would also help curb the increased cases of Covid-19. The adjournment will also apply to all the committees.

Chaos were also reported in the Assembly last Thursday when Ngwele attempted to return to office, only to be blocked by Elachi who termed him a “stranger” in the House since he had been replaced by Gichana.  

Seals loopholes

Elachi has blamed her woes on her stand on Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), accusing the pro-Sonko MCAs of fighting her because she had sealed all loopholes for corruption. 

“Sonko knows there is a new Clerk. He has been using Ngwele in all his court cases and right now he is angry because he knows the order that stopped his ouster can be revived now that Ngwele is gone.

The impeachment motion is motivated by that,” Elachi added.

The running battles with the police left Mlango Kubwa MCA Patricia Mutheu, Nominated MCAs Ann Thumbi and Nancy Muthama seriously injured.

 “When will we ever be allowed to access the Assembly to perform our duties. Elachi should know that we are elected and our voters expect us to execute our mandates,” said Mutheu at Central Police Station where she had gone to record a statement.

Mutheu said she was beaten up by police officers after she refused to run when chaos escalated in the Assembly.

“I was alone. I did not cause any disturbance because I  was only waiting for the members to serve the notice of impeachment when tear gas canisters were lobbed,” she said.

Kenya Women Senators Association (Kewosa) condemned the brutal attacks and accused Elachi of fighting fellow women leaders. 

“We are telling Elachi that if she continues using police to harass women, we will forcefully evict her from office and propose another leader to replace her,” said Nominated Senator Millicent Omanga.

On Sunday, Sonko-allied MCAs launched a fresh bid to impeach Elachi, accusing her of abuse of office and poor leadership.

Their move came just a day after Elachi- allied MCAs swore to initiate a process to impeach Sonko, claiming that his time as governor is up.

And on Monday, the Ward Reps, led by Minority Whip Peter Imwatok demanded that Sonko steps aside and let NMS run Nairobi’s affairs.

“We are even ready for a by-election because we cannot entertain Sonko any more. He is selling fear to us but he should know that we are not afraid of him at all.

If it means dissolving the county and then NMS can take over, so be it,” said Imwatok, who was flanked by about 30 MCAs.

Badi has been keen on changing Nairobi and released a scorecard of his first 100 days in office.

Among other responsibilities, NMS was tasked with is ending rampant corruption and dismantling cartels that have come in the way of Nairobi’s progress.