This archive report was first published on 25 December 2021.
Nairobi Assembly's Speaker and Board Face Arrest Calls Over Unlawful Appointment ¶
On December 21, 2021, the Nairobi City County Assembly Service Board appointed Romeo Gavin Castro as the acting clerk, despite a court order directing the appointment of Pauline Akuku, the Deputy Clerk Administration.
Employment and Labour Judge Nduma Nderi temporarily barred Adah Onyango from acting as Nairobi City County Assembly Clerk on Monday, following an application filed by Human Rights activist Okiya Omtatah.
Omtatah argued that Onyango had violated the law by acting in the office of the Clerk for more than the maximum six months allowed in law.
Onyango was appointed on June 7, 2021, as the acting clerk and secretary to the County assembly service board. She was required to vacate the office on December 6, 2021.
However, contrary to the court orders, the board appointed Castro, a junior officer, to serve in the position of Clerk.
According to a letter seen by Kenya Insights, MCA Mary Ariviza has invited the EACC to investigate the speaker and board over the irregular appointment of Castro.
Ariviza argued that the board had disregarded the provisions of Section 21 of the County Assembly Services Act, 2017, which provides that in the absence of the Clerk, the Deputy Clerk should act in the position.
She also stated that the board had appointed Castro in blatant abuse of office and in flagrant abuse of the law.
Meanwhile, Pauline Akuku, the Deputy Clerk Administration, has written a protest letter to the speaker Benson Mutura over the irregular appointment made by the board.
Akuku argued that she was the alternate Deputy Clerk and should have proceeded to act in the position of Clerk and serve as the Accounting Officer of the Assembly.
However, the board had appointed Castro, disregarding the provisions of the law.
The board members on the spot over abuse of office include; Charles Thuo, MCA, Vice Chair, Catherine Okoth, MCA, Fatuma Affey, and Willis Okello.
