NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 11 – Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi has resigned.
Elachi announced her resignation on Tuesday morning, handing over to her deputy John Kamangu.
“It has been tough and I can’t hold any longer,” Elachi said, “I, therefore, tender my resignation and thank President Uhuru Kenyatta for giving me this opportunity to serve under his Jubilee administration.”
Elachi, who took over as Speaker at the Assembly in 2017, cited frustrations and threats to her life as some of the reasons that led to her resignation.
Elachi resigned at a time Governor Mike Sonko, who is barred from accessing office after facing corruption charges, is embroiled in leadership wrangles with Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director Mohamed Badi,.
Elachi’s leadership has been marred by chaos and wrangles, and she was even kicked out of the assembly in September 2018, just one year in office.
Her impeachment was dramatic, characterized with ugly scenes and confrontations with Members of the County Assembly who were opposed to her rule and fueled by poor relations with Governor Mike Sonko.
She was later reinstated by the court but her return was also characterized by chaos and drama after MCAs loyal to the Governor tried to block her.
She has served since October 2019, but she again fell out with MCAs leading to renewed calls for her impeachment.
On July 28, there was violent drama at City Hall when a group of MCAs forced their way to her office to serve her with a notice of impeachment.
Corridors leading to the Assembly were filled with teargas smoke as police attempted to disperse the MCAs who were keen to present the Notice of Motion signed by 59 MCAs. This left seveal of them injured, including Mlango Kubwa MCA Patricia Mutheu who was clobbered by anti-riot police.
Most recently, Elachi’s appointee for the Clerk’s position, Edward Gichana was blocked by the court, in wrangles pitting him and Jacob Ngwele.
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