This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
On October 30, 2019, Nairobi County Clerk Jacob Ngwele was ordered to resume duty, but he failed to do so, causing a halt in operations at City Hall.
Lawyers Harrisson Kinyanjui and Cecil Miller, representing Speaker Beatrice Elachi and the Nairobi County Assembly Services Board, respectively, accused Ngwele of frustrating payments to employees and vital services.
County workers who attended the hearing of a contempt application against Elachi booed and heckled Ngwele in open court, accusing him of carrying a gun and money in his socks.
ELRC Judge Onesmus Makau heard that Ngwele had not been going to the office despite being ordered to resume duty.
"Ngwele does not go to the office. He only pops in and out. His actions have grounded services since he has not paid the employees and vital services," Justice Makau heard.
Ngwele claimed his office had been closed and office equipment carted away, but lawyer Kinyanjui stood up saying the clerk was misleading the court.
"I personally went to police to get the court orders implemented and ensured Ngwele resumed duty," Kinyanjui said.
Ngwele changed his story, saying, "I can work from anywhere. I don't have to be in an office. I can work from anywhere."
Justice Makau subsequently ordered Ngwele to effect payments for all employees and for all other services by the close of business yesterday and directed Monicah Muthami, the holder of Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) credentials, to operationalize the computer systems. "I direct that you effect payments for the employees and other services today (yesterday). Be escorted by police back to your office and continue with your work," Justice Makau ordered Ngwele.
