Sonko locks out 200 top City Hall staff from office in crackdown
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Tuesday ordered for 200 top staff to be sent on compulsive leave to allow for investigation at City Hall.
The employees are drawn from the departments of lands, rates, legal, debt collection and urban planning.
The letters did not state the reason for the compulsory leave but take effect from October 02, 2017.
Governor Sonko has also suspended 15 employees allegedly involved in a land grabbing cartel.
The cartel is said to prey on property owners with expired leases.
The crackdown comes after Governor Sonko was involved in a confrontation pitting auctioneers and tenants at an 8.5 acre property on Ngong Road that is at the centre of a dispute.
The officials sent on compulsory leave include Legal Services Director Karisa Iha, senior lawyers Nyagara Nyamweya, Violet Oyangi, Evans Mogire, John Ombogi and principal counsel Newton Mungai.
NON-COMPLIANCE
“You are hereby instructed to proceed to compulsory leave with immediate effect and not later than October 2nd, until you are recalled to the office. Please note that non-compliance will be dealt with according to the laid down regulations,” read the letters signed by acting County Secretary Leboo Morintat.
Mr Sonko had accused the affected departments of intentionally tampering with records on prime properties by deleting records that proved the property owners had paid land rates.
The Kenya County Government Workers Union, Nairobi chapter, has threatened to mobilise its members to boycott work if the officers are not reinstated.
Branch secretary Boniface Waweru accused the governor of suspending his members without giving reasons.
“We demand for the immediate opening of the locked offices.The said letters should be revoked forthwith. We further demand that you stop sending rogue officers/strangers to harass and intimidate our members working in the entire Nairobi County,” said Mr Waweu.