During a recent Senate meeting, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja found himself in hot water as he faced criticism from Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over the implementation of the Urban City Renewal Plan by the Nairobi County Government. Sakaja, who had been previously fined Ksh. 500,000 for failing to attend the committee’s summons, also had to endure a scolding from Sifuna, who accused him of being disrespectful to the residents of Nairobi County.
The tension escalated when Sakaja explained that his absence from the previous summons was due to international travel, a reason that did not sit well with Senator Sifuna. Sifuna took the opportunity to reprimand Sakaja in front of the Senate committee, stating that the Governor’s excuse was inadequate and demanding an apology to the affected residents.
Sifuna criticized Sakaja for allegedly prioritizing personal interests over important matters, such as the concerns raised by residents affected by the Urban Regeneration Plan. He pointed out that Governors, like Sakaja, only tended to engage with the Senate when seeking additional resources for their counties. Sifuna emphasized the need for Governors to take parliamentary business more seriously and address the pressing issues faced by their constituents.
The Senator also expressed disappointment in the current penalty system, suggesting that fines like the one imposed on Sakaja were insufficient to hold non-compliant individuals accountable. He advocated for stronger penalties and even proposed granting Parliament the power to arrest individuals who fail to appear before parliamentary committees.
In response to the Senate committee’s decision to suspend the implementation of the Urban Regeneration Plan pending further public participation and addressing the residents’ concerns, Governor Sakaja objected, citing that contractual agreements with developers had already been signed for the redevelopment of several estates in Nairobi.
The exchange between Sakaja and Sifuna underscored the ongoing challenges in governance and the need for transparency and accountability in decision-making processes that impact the lives of citizens. The incident highlighted the importance of constructive dialogue and collaboration between government officials and legislators to address critical issues affecting the community.