This archive report was first published on 25 May 2020.
As the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) funding saga continues, Governor Mike Sonko has recalled a Supplementary Appropriations Bill meant to allocate Sh3.5 billion to the service for the 2019/2020 financial year. The Bill was presented to the County Assembly last Wednesday, but was withdrawn before it could be committed to the assembly for consideration.
According to sources, the Bill was recalled due to continued wrangles between Governor Sonko and Speaker Beatrice Elachi. The two have been at odds over the allocation of funds to the NMS, with the Governor declining to assent to an earlier appropriations Bill that allocated Sh15 billion to the service in April.
Speaking to The Standard, an MCA who sought anonymity stated, "From my understanding, the Bill was recalled after the assembly poked holes into it. The way this thing is playing out it is pointing to a continuation of the battle between the governor and the speaker."
Ben Mulwa, Sonko's spokesperson, confirmed that the Executive recalled the Bill after realising that due process of the law was not followed. "I am not sure if the speaker has received the Bill but I confirmed the bill has been forwarded. It is supposed to be forwarded by the Finance executive and not the County Attorney," Mulwa stated.
Speaker Elachi also confirmed that the Bill was recalled by the executive after realising it did not follow due process as stipulated by the law.
Plenary sittings at City Hall are due to resume on June 2, after being adjourned in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
