On 2018-11-20, Nairobi ward representatives pressed Governor Mike Sonko to explain the employment terms of his cabinet members after questions emerged over whether 10 county executives were still serving legally.
The dispute centred on claims that the contracts of the executives had expired the previous Thursday, raising doubts about whether they could continue handling County Hall business. The Budget and Appropriations Committee said it wanted documentary proof showing which officers were still authorised to act for the county government.
Finance and Economic Planning Executive Allan Igambi, who had appeared before the committee the previous Wednesday, said he was not sure when his own contract ended. He told the committee, “I was employed on a one-year contract but I have to refer to the document to see when it lapsed.”
County Attorney David Aseko was also asked to account for the status of the executives’ employment. Budget committee chair Robert Mbatia said the county attorney should consult the Executive and provide documents confirming whether the officers’ contracts remained valid.
“We direct that the county attorney should consult the Executive and give documentation on whether the officers' contracts are valid,” said Mr Mbatia.
Mr Mbatia warned that if Mr Aseko did not respond quickly, the committee would proceed to write its report without input from the Executive.
The ward representatives also said they could stop engaging in business with the CECs if the contractual position remained unclear. Kayole South MCA Fredrick Okeyo said it would be an illegality to transact business with executives whose status had not been confirmed.
Mr Aseko, however, said only the County Public Service Board could clarify the matter. “It is important that we seek the information from the appointing authority because I am not able to tell you about the CECs' contracts.”
The issue followed an October advertisement by the board for five executive positions, which stated that all the executives had signed one-year contracts with the county government.
The development left City Hall under pressure to show who among the county executives could lawfully continue in office and transact county business.
