Elachi garnered 90 votes ahead of her nearest competitor Ali Abdi who managed 27 votes while the third candidate, George Wainaina, got 4 votes/HILARY MWENDA
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Former Nominated Senator Beatrice Elachi who lost the Dagoretti North parliamentary seat has been elected Speaker of Nairobi County Assembly.
Elachi garnered 90 votes ahead of her nearest competitor Ali Abdi who managed 27 votes while the third candidate, George Wainaina, got 4 votes.
Following her win, Elachi was sworn-in by the Clerk of the Assembly, Jacob Ngwele.
“I Beatrice Elachi having been elected as Speaker of the County Assembly of the Nairobi City County do swear that I shall always truly and diligently serve the people and the Republic of Kenya in the office of the Speaker of the County Assembly of the Nairobi City County. That I shall respect, uphold, preserve, protect and defend this constitution,” she swore.
Her election came after the newly elected Members of the County Assembly took their oath in their first sitting since the August polls.
Elachi contested the Dagoretti North parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket in the August 8 elections but lost.
She pledged that during her term in office, she will serve both the majority and minority in the Assembly.
While giving her maiden speech at City Hall, the former Senator stated that she will also be seeking to improve the relationship between the County Government and the Senate for the smooth running of affairs.
She encouraged all leaders to unite to bring efficient service delivery to all Nairobi residents through the passage of bills that will benefit everyone.
“In 2010, Kenya adopted a new Constitution. One of the key hallmarks of that Constitution was the adoption of a devolved system of governance. Devolution is at the centre of transformation for the country,” she stated.
Before adjournment of the sitting, she presided over the swearing-in of the Deputy Speaker John Kamangu Nyumu.
There was a light moment during the voting as some of the Jubilee MCAs had to be assisted to vote after claiming they had ‘injured’ their fingers.
The MCAs claimed they could not write and had to be assisted to mark the ballot paper.
They were escorted to the voting booth by Elachi’s agent, Ruai MCA John Kamangu, who said he was attending to the affected MCAs.
Elachi takes over from former Speaker Alex ole Magelo, who did not defend his seat.
Kamangu was elected the Deputy Speaker as he was the only one who returned nomination papers.
Earlier, 122 MCAs took oath of office in a ceremony presided over by Assembly Clerk Ngwele.
The swearing-in ceremony was delayed by three hours following a dispute on the 37 nominated MCAs as both Jubilee and National Super Alliance had obtained court orders.
The event was scheduled to start at 9am but commenced after midday.
When the swearing-in ceremony began, some MCAs were forced to repeat their oaths after inserting words that were not legal.
Karen MCA David Mberia swore in the name of NASA leader Raila Odinga and was forced to retake the oath, but repeated Odinga’s name at the end.”So help me God. God Help Raila.”
This sparked protest from Jubilee members, who accused him of wasting time.
Sarangombe MCA Lawrence Otieno also concluded his oath with the NASA signature “Raila Tialala.”
The public gallery was packed with Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and Senator Johnson Sakaja following the proceedings from the gallery.
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