The resolution to have the Nairobi Regeneration team created in 2018 under the joint leadership of Sonko and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala was made during a Special Sitting by the Nairobi County Assembly chaired by its recently reinstated Speaker Beatrice Elachi/FILE – Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 10 – Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s Executive Committee will now coordinate with a 2018 intergovernmental team to deliver services to city residents, the County Assembly resolved on Thursday.
The resolution to have the Nairobi Regeneration team created in 2018 under the joint leadership of Sonko and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala was made during a Special Sitting by the Nairobi County Assembly chaired by its recently reinstated Speaker Beatrice Elachi.
She directed the revamping of the moribund regeneration team, which is to work with the County Executive Committee (CEC) Members to ensure efficient service delivery to Nairobi residents, especially during this period when Nairobi Governor Sonko is out of office following court orders barring him from accessing his City Hall office.
Elachi gave this direction after hours of deliberations Members of County Assembly (MCAs), who had been recalled from recess to address the current crisis in the county.
The Special Sitting emanated from an informal meeting by all members which was held on Tuesday, where for the first time all the ward representatives agreed that there is indeed a crisis in Nairobi County.
“Due to good work that has been done by Nairobi regeneration appointed by the President, I direct the same is revamped and proceed its work together with county executive to ensure effective service delivery to the residents of Nairobi,” Elachi ordered.
Elachi further directed that all pending bills particularly those owed to the youths, women and persons with disabilities be cleared/CFM – Jemimah Mueni
On roads the Speaker asked the CEC to ensure that they partner with Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) in tarmacking and maintenance of the county roads.
Elachi further directed that all pending bills particularly those owed to the youths, women and persons with disabilities be cleared.
She also directed the executive to develop a structured work frame on how to deal with garbage collection firms.
The Nairobi Regeneration Team, which has been dormant for a while was tasked with reclaiming Nairobi’s lost glory by ensuring proper waste management, efficient public transport, affordable housing among others.
The team was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018, comprising of county and national government leaders and co-chaired by Governor Sonko and Tourism CS Balala.
Before the Speaker’s direction MCAs had different opinions on what is ailing the county and possible solutions.
Majority Leader Charles Thuo said they, “acknowledge that the city has a problem and we have ensure that our people get service despite what is happening.”
Minority Whip Peter Imwatok argued that the county has been on autopilot since the Governor was barred from office, proposing that the lasting solution would be to impeach the Governor.
“Impeachment is inevitable, we can’t continue this way,” he said.
Deputy Minority Whip Moses Ogeto said: “Service delivery has failed in this government, Nairobi regeneration team that was formed by the President must come back.”
“For things to work liaison committee must be strengthened,” said nominated MCA Leah Naikane.
“There is a crisis in this county, and we are not heading the right direction, as much as the executive arm is destabilized the legislative arm must show leadership,” said Minority Leader David Mberia.
Other members proposed the formation of a serious adhoc committee, comprising of members from both Jubilee Party and National Super Alliance-allied party whose work would be to oversee the resumption to normalcy of services in the county government.
Speaker Elachi however dismissed the suggestion saying that the mandate of the County Assembly is to legislate, represent and oversight.
She warned overstepping the legislative mandate could lead to litigation.
“Hon. Members, we cannot be the judge, the jury and executor on such weighty matters,” she stated.
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