City Hall saga indicts our vetting processes
The takeover of some functions of the Nairobi county government by the national government has elicited mixed reactions, with some embracing the arrangement and others terming it unconstitutional.
Those opposed to the move cite lack of public participation and adequate consultation, but the law allows public participation even after the signing of the agreement.
The ensuing confusion, especially at City Hall, has also left Members of the County Assembly and county officials uncertain about their fate.
It has not helped matters that Governor Mike Sonko has claimed to be the architect of the takeover, saying it was in the best interest of residents of the capital.
Is ironical that a man who loves to waltz with his fanatical admirers— and usually satiates his ego with being the sheriff in town— decided to render himself a dud governor.
For Nairobi residents, who have suffered the injustice of poor services, it was a matter of time before divine providence saved them from their error of judgement.
But that is the beauty of our democracy that gave Nairobians a leader who thrives in chest-thumping; who promises heaven and delivers hell.
But even as the takeover of key functions by the national government is executed, it would be prudent to ask questions about the vetting agencies that gave Sonko a clean bill of health to run for office in the first place.
How did such a man of questionable integrity end up at the helm of Nairobi leadership?
His very tenure is a severe indictment of all the State agencies— the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission—that went through the motions of vetting him and allowed him to not only occupy public office but also serve as the governor of Nairobi, the region’s investment hub.
The answer is crystal clear: political expediency! This monster has sired a myriad Sonkos across the country whose fruit is rampant corruption, mismanagement of public affairs and consequent poor services to the citizen. They are the shame and scar the country has to shoulder at great cost.
It will be costly to remedy such political malignancy that haunts the country, but it has to be done— and painfully so. But this must be within the legal limits because two wrongs do not make a right.
