Sakaja to cease NMS reign, revert county functions
Nairobi Governor-elect Johnson Sakaja yesterday promised to revert all county functions assigned to Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) immediately he is sworn in.
Sakaja, who spoke after County Returning Officer Albert Gogo issued him with his certificate, emphasised that his government will spearhead all the 14 county functions, including those transferred NMS two years ago.
“I would like to thank the outgoing NMS led by General Badi. I thank them for the work they have done and acknowledge it has not been easy. I have learnt from them but I want to affirm that from the day we are sworn all the four functions shall revert to the County Government of Nairobi,” he said.
On February 25, 2020, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and then Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa signed an agreement to transfer some county functions to the National government.
The transfer followed accusations of incompetence and impropriety by Sonko, who would later be impeached over gross violation of the Constitution.
Signing of the Deed of Transfer left City Hall in control of less influential departments such as ICT and E-Government, Education and Sports, Agriculture and Livestock, Trade and Co-operatives and Devolution, Environment and Finance sectors.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on March 17, 2021, established NMS and appointed Mohammed Badi as its Director General.
According to the notice by Nairobi County Secretary Jairus Musumba, there will also be a three-month handover period to ensure continuous service delivery.
As a result, an assumption of office of the governor will form a committee to oversee the transition.
Sakaja of Deputy President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza Coalition defeated his Jubilee counterpart, Polycarp Igathe to win the race with 699,392 votes. Igathe garnered 573,516 votes.
Sakaja, 37, becomes Nairobi’s fourth governor after Evans Kidero, Sonko and Ann Kananu, who took over after Sonko’s impeachment.
“As the County Returning Officer, l hereby declare Johnson Sakaja as the Governor-elect of Nairobi City County upon garnering 699,392 votes. Congratulations the governor-elect,” Gogo announced.
In his victory speech, Sakaja said he was confident of clinching the governorship seat amidst several fights from his ‘enemies’.
“I want to thank God and the people of Nairobi for believing in me and giving me this mandate and task of serving them as governor,” he said.
Other candidates
Others in the race were Harman Grewal of Safina Party (10,521), Agnes Kagure (Independent, 10,086), Kiio Mutua (Ford Kenya, 6,485), Denise Kodhe (LDP, 5, 557), Nancy Mwadime (Usawa Kwa Wote, 5,531) and Esther Thairu (Independent, 5,944).
In the Senate race, ODM candidate Edwin Sifuna carried the day after garnering 716,876 votes against UDA’s Margaret Wanjiru’s 524,091 votes
The race had attracted 13 candidates.
Other candidates in the race attracted less than 15,000 votes. In his acceptance speech, Sifuna said he was ready to work for the better of Nairobi county.
In the Woman Rep race, incumbent Esther Passaris successfully defended her seat after garnering 698,929 votes against her closest competitor, Millicent Omanga of UDA. In her emotional acceptance speech amid cheers from supporters, Passaris dedicated the win to her father, who died early this year.
“I want to dedicate this win to my father. Daddy, I promise to do everything you taught me and serve the people of Nairobi better each day,” she said.
Omanga who garnered 586,246 votes conceded defeat and urged city residents to accord Passaris maximum support.
“Esther Passaris has won, she deserves our support and prayers as she steers the office of Woman Rep for the next five years. May God bless our country,” she said.
Azimio-One Kenya Coalition has won most seats in Nairobi.
Azimio MPs elected in Nairobi on ODM include Babu Owino (Embakasi East), Felix Kodhe alias Jalang’o (Lang’ata), Tim Wanyonyi (Westlands), Beatrice Elachi (Dagoretti North), George Aladwa (Makadara), Tom Kajwang’ (Ruaraka), Peter Orero (Kibra) and Antony Oluoch (Mathare).
Under Jubilee, Mark Mwenje (Embakasi West), Amos Mwago (Starehe), and Yusuf Hassan (Kamukunji) carried the day.
