Elachi gives Sonko until Monday 10am to respond to impeachment motion

Elachi gives Sonko until Monday 10am to respond to impeachment motion

Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi has now directed embattled Governor Mike Sonko to submit written replies to the allegations raised in the motion for his impeachment by 10am on Monday, March 2.

Speaker Elachi, in a circular seen by Citizen Digital on Tuesday, said the Clerk will then disseminate copies of Sonko’s replies to all MCAs before the motion is debated on Tuesday next week.

According to Elachi, the motion to impeach Governor Sonko will be debated for three days; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

She further stated that 55 MCAs have since appended their signatures to the motion, adding that their identities will however be protected for their own safety and security.

Elachi also stated that, in accordance with the House standing orders, members who have already appended their signatures to the motion will not be allowed to withdraw.

“..the Chair is concerned that some of the members who appended their signatures have been threatened. The Chair takes these actions seriously and shall not shy away from invoking the applicable provisions of the County Assemblies Powers and Privileges Act, 2017 in protecting the Members,” she added.

The Speaker said the mover of the motion will, during the sittings, be allowed a maximum of 2 hours while moving and a maximum of 30 minutes while replying whereas other members will be given 15 minutes each to contribute.

“…at the conclusion of the debate on the motion, and the Chair having been satisfied that all members intending to contribute have done so, a vote on the motion shall be taken and this shall be done on or before the third sitting day,” she said.

Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok, who is also the Nairobi County Assembly Minority Whip, on Thursday last week tabled an impeachment motion against Governor Sonko citing claims of abuse of office, violation of the Constitution, irregular procurement of tenders among others.

According to Imwatok, the county has seen irregular withdrawal of Ksh.200 million in cash as well as misuse of public resources by the governor to settle political scores.

“Sonko every time consumes alcohol in the office of the governor, thus making insults to employees and members of this House,” said Imwatok.

“He fires staff on WhatsApp and Facebook without allowing them due process thus affecting service delivery.”

Sonko, in a surprise landmark agreement with Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa however, handed over functions of the Nairobi County Government to the National Government.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday at State House under the watchful eye of President Uhuru Kenyatta.

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Governor Mike Sonko Nairobi County Assembly impeachment Speaker Beatrice Elachi

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