Standoff at City Hall as county staff ‘fight’ over office space

There was drama at City Hall after Members of the Nairobi County Assembly and Executive Committee members tussled over office space.

A bitter confrontation between the MCAs and the CECs ensued early Thursday, November 24 after the county executive made attempts to forcefully occupy the fourth floor of the Northern Wing of the Building that had been set aside for MCAs.

The MCAs claimed that they are allowed by law to occupy the entire Wing from Parking space to the fifth floor while CeCs are allocated the West wing.

According to the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act the Nairobi City County Assembly should occupy the Northern Wing of the City Hall building which include the chambers, every part of the building in which the chamber is situated and the galleries therein.

The Act further puts several sections of the premise under the County Assembly including office of the Assembly, from the basement parking to the 5^th floor of the Northern Wing City Hall building and any other office space therein and the places within the building provided for the se and accommodation of members, strangers, members of the public and representatives of the press.

The parking spaces reserved for the use of the Assembly in front of the Supreme Court building along Taifa Road are also placed under the Assembly.

A gazette notice issued by the county assembly Speaker, Alex ole Magelo, on September 16, 2016 moved to restate this stand declaring that the Northern Wing of City Hall that had been used by staff from the Rating Department and the Audit Department belonged to the county assembly of Nairobi.

The CEC, however, want the court to quash the gazette notice saying it is illegal and a contravention of the County Governments Act and the Transition to Devolved Governments Act.

In their case filed on November 18, set to be ruled on December 13, the CEC claiming the locking of the section of City Hall has affected their ability to provide services to the people of Nairobi and exposed the county government to serious potential loss of vital documents in the offices.

According to the County Secretary, Robert Ayisi, the county government had used Ksh 630 million to refurbish the floor and install a GIS Based Mass Voter registration system for Nairobi, internet cabling in readiness for connection to LAIFORMS and IFMIS financial systems within the area that the assembly claims ownership.

After hours of tussling the Speaker Magelo led a march to Interior Cabinet Secretary, Major Gen. (Rtd.) Joseph Nkaissery’s, office to table their complaint.

Speaking after meeting the Assembly members, Nkaissery ordered proper security be provided in and out of City Hall in replication of the security arrangement at Parliament.

Nkaissery further cautioned Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero against meddling in county assembly affairs saying anyone who contravenes the law will be arrested.

“This is a warning shot to Governor Kidero, only President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto cannot be arrested. I will come for you for contravening the law by attempting to forcefully occupy county assembly space.

In a bid to fight back the county assembly has resolved to cease all engagements with the county government including debating pending bill until the matter is resolved.

Speaker Magelo, in his communication to the Chambers Thursday afternoon, also resolved to reintroduce the impeachment motion against Governor Kidero which was halted by the court.

“The Court prevented Governor Kidero from appearing before the Chambers but it did not bar us from discussion the impeachment motion.

“The motion to impeach Kidero will, therefore, proceed on Tuesday 29, 2016,” said Magelo.

@benjaminwafula