Nairobi Azimio MCAs forced to explain why they met Gachagua DP in Karen

The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition party in the Nairobi County Assembly has threatened action against two members of the coalition for attending a meeting at the vice president’s official residence in Karen.

This despite Vice President Rigathi Gachagua’s office having invited elected leaders of Nairobi City County to discuss the way forward on the Nairobi Rivers Commission Action Plan.

The two Azimio MCAs who attended the meeting include Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, who was elected in the 2022 elections on the ODM ticket, and Utawala Ward MCA Patrick Karaani, who was elected on the Jubilee ticket.

Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Moses Ogeto asked the two to explain why they attended the meeting despite the coalition’s resolution that no one should attend the meeting called by the DP.

“In open defiance and disregard of such communication, you proudly chose to attend and even went ahead to give a speech on how you are willing to work with Kenya Kwanza to promote their policies…you are hereby requested to submit a written explanation of your conduct. and provide us with valid cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against you,” reads part of the show cause notice to Mr. Alai.

The same show cause notice was also served on Mr. Karani.

In his response, Mr Alai said elected leaders are representatives of the people and not mere followers of directives that do not serve the best interests of their constituents.

He protested that denying them the opportunity to attend some of the functions organized by the national government and not allowing them to participate in political discussions was a betrayal of the voters who depend on them to represent their interests.

“How can we avoid adverse outcomes for those we represent if we are excluded from such critical discussions? The recent events affecting those we represent in Mathare, Embakasi and Lang’ata are direct results of policies adopted without any intervention,” said Mr Alai.

Alai told the majority leader that the meeting addressed critical issues related to the Nairobi Rivers Action Plan and was not about defection from one coalition to another.

He also questioned why they had been summoned when County Assembly Speaker Kennedy Ng’ondi, who led the coalition, had asked them to attend the same meeting.

“Furthermore, the president, who was nominated and elected with the overwhelming support of the Azimio wing of the assembly, explicitly requested our attendance at this crucial meeting through an internal REF memo. NO. SPK/MCA/2024/04(01). “The contradictory directive from him suggests a disconnect within the Azimio Assembly leadership on the stance on such commitments.”

Karani stated that the Speaker had asked them to attend the meeting and questioned the conflicting information from the Speaker and the Majority Leader.

Furthermore, members cited that the Constitution of Kenya (2010) explicitly outlines the role of members of the County Assembly, including law-making, representation of the electorate, and supervision of the county executive.

“This constitutional mandate underscores the need for county assembly members to actively participate in all government functions and meetings that impact their constituents… In conclusion, the notion of isolation in political maneuvering serves neither the interests of those who elected us or those of Nairobi at large. Our role as elected officials is to fully participate in all platforms where policies affecting our electorate are discussed, regardless of their political affiliations,” Alai said.