This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
Published on November 5, 2019
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has reached out to majority leader Abdi Guyo and his rival faction in a bid to end the impasse at the assembly.
The move comes after Speaker Beatrice Elachi's chaotic return to office, which has seen the assembly experience constant wrangling, chaos, and drama.
Mr Sonko said he is ready to renew his working relationship with Mr Guyo and all of the city's ward representatives, but warned against blackmail and intimidation in the assembly's oversight work.
He challenged Speaker Elachi to rally her troops in supporting his development agenda and called on legislators opposed to Ms Elachi to abandon their hard stance and restore the unity that prevailed in the assembly since the March 9, 2018 handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga.
"The differences we have should not stop us from working for Nairobi residents. That is why I am forgiving him. I do not wish to isolate anyone in my development agenda," he said during a meeting with the MCAs on Monday.
Mr Sonko also warned against unfounded punishments against those who appear to question the assembly board's decisions and challenged the new board to be transparent and use an all-inclusive leadership style that respects the rights of all the 122 MCAs.
"Let us respect one another and make everyone feel well represented in the running of assembly affairs. I also urge you to fast-track passing of the supplementary budget," he said.
