This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) has been at the center of controversy in Nairobi, with Governor Mike Sonko accused of interfering with its operations. On May 12, 2020, Nairobi MCAs sounded a warning to Governor Sonko to stop these actions or else they resort to 'appropriate legislative action'.
Led by Minority Whip Peter Imwatok, the ward representatives cited threats by the governor to withdraw from the Deed of Transfer of functions between the State and the county government. They also accused Governor Sonko of inciting seconded county staff not to report to their new work stations.
“The net effect of these choreographed actions is the grounding or slowing down of the operations of NMS hence we cannot see NMS’s output as directed by the President. Things are now becoming thick and as members of the County Assembly we shall not sit and wait,” said Mr Imwatok.
The MCAs have been working closely with President Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure the success of NMS. In February, President Kenyatta intervened and asked the MCAs to drop plans to impeach Governor Sonko and instead support the new initiative so that service delivery in Nairobi can be restored.
True to the appeal from the Head of State, the MCAs have gone ahead to approve the Deed of Transfer of functions, consented with the transfer of City Hall staff to NMS, and approved a supplementary budget to which appropriated funds to the new office.
However, the MCAs have alleged that there are certain State House officers who have joined hands to frustrate the new office as they are worried that if resources they have been siphoning is transferred to NMS, they will not have the opportunity to continue plundering public resources.
