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Why Jubilee Governor wants Nairobi run by national govt

By NYABOGA KIAGE December 29th, 2018 2 min read

Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki now wants Nairobi County dissolved and its operations taken over by the national government.

Governor Njuki said that if there were a referendum to be held, the question on disbandment of Nairobi County should feature prominently because of duplication of roles between City Hall and the national government.

The Jubilee governor said that the capital city was such an important place to be left in the hands of a governor and it is often an inconvenience for the President, whose seat of power is Nairobi, to have to stoop down to a governor for consultations before implementing his agenda.

“We cannot have a county like Nairobi as it is a metropolitan. It does not qualify to be a county,” said Mr Njuki.

POLITICAL CONTROL

In a comment directed at the current Nairobi County’s leadership, Mr Njuki said it is dangerous to have the county run by another governor once this term ends.

Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki (navy blue coat) and Members of County Assembly join women in a dance during commissioning of Mwonge Range Water Association offices in Chuka/Igambang'ombe constituency. PHOTO | ALEX NJERU
Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki (navy blue coat) and Members of County Assembly join women in a dance during commissioning of Mwonge Range Water Association offices in Chuka/Igambang’ombe constituency. PHOTO | FILE

“[Mike] Sonko always says he is from Machakos [County]. He can seek votes there in 2022 after Governor Alfred Mutua leaves the stage or he can also come to Tharaka Nithi and seek votes here,” said Mr Njuki.

The governor claimed political parties were forced to pump in a lot of resources during the electioneering period in bid to capture Nairobi because of the power one wields when in control of the city resources.

“Look at what [Evans] Kidero used to do to Jubilee Party and President Uhuru Kenyatta when he controlled Nairobi. They would book a venue only for the county government to revoke and give it to the opposition,” Mr Njuki claimed.

Depoliticisation of Nairobi, Mr Njuki contends, is the only solution to county’s many woes and cited United States’ seat of political power, Washington DC, which is not classified as a county.

Mr Njuki proposes the city to be run by a mayor and departmental heads answerable to the national government.

SIMILAR PROPOSALS

There have been other attempts by the Senate to disband Nairobi and have it as a metropolitan under the national government with the latest attempt a bill fronted by Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot.

The bill is currently being scrutinised by the Senate’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.

Former Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura had also brought a similar proposal in the 11th parliament but it was rejected because of perceived political undertones.