This archive report was first published on 4 August 2020.
Nairobi MCAs Seek State House Protection from CS Matiang'i ¶
On July 28, chaos erupted at City Hall in Nairobi following the impeachment of Speaker Beatrice Elachi. The incident led to a crackdown by Interior CS Fred Matiang'i, who has since been accused of disarming Nairobi MCAs.
According to reports, over 14 MCAs have reached out to State House seeking protection from Matiang'i. The MCAs claim that they were unfairly targeted and disarmed by police officers stationed at City Hall.
Police launched an investigation into how the MCAs acquired licenses for their guns. The MCAs later held two separate meetings with Speaker Elachi and Governor Mike Sonko attending each.
The meetings were held amidst a cold war between Sonko and Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director-General Mohammed Badi. The MCAs have tabled a motion to have Badi take over stalled projects under health, transport, planning, and housing from Sonko.
Clay City Ward MCA Samora Mwaura, who tabled the motion, urged Badi to get all the necessary documentation from Sonko. Sonko had previously withdrawn the deed of transfer of functions between him and the national government in July 2020, arguing that he was coerced into signing it.
Meanwhile, Mlango Kubwa MCA Patricia Mutheu has filed a complaint against 4 police officers who allegedly assaulted her during the chaos. CS Matiang'i ordered the construction of a police station inside City Hall to curb future wrangles.
