- The letter as seen by the Star was written by ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna who is Nairobi Senator.
- Ng'ondoi even revealed that as the chair of the house, he did not approve the said communication nor authorise the clerk to prepare the same.
Image: WILFRED NYANGARESI
Cracks have emerged at the Nairobi county assembly side of the majority following the purported appointment of Azimio leadership in the house.
After being sworn in last Thursday, before the session was adjourned Speaker Kennedy Ng’ondi read a communication announcing new ODM leadership.
Makongeni MCA Peter Imwatok was announced as the Majority leader with his Laini Saba counterpart John Ndile as his deputy. Kilimani MCA Moses Ogeto was named minority whip with and Upper Savannah's Elijah Stazo as his deputy.
Nominated member Catherine Okoth was named as ODM representative at the county assembly service board.
However, less than 24 hours later, Speaker Ng’ondi revoked the communication saying the chairperson was not properly in office and hence incapable of receiving any communication nor providing the authority for the clerk to act on it.
“The purported nomination is hereby revoked and the offices remain vacant until official communication from the nominating party formally presents its list of leadership in accordance with the Standing Orders,” Ng’ondi said.
The speaker also claimed the communication did not constitute business for the day under the gazette so published, hence it stands rescinded in totality.
The Star has established that some Azimio MCAs are not in support of their counterparts who had been announced as their new leaders.
They held a Kamukunji on Friday morning before the speaker had a media briefing reversing his earlier communication.
A second-term ODM ward rep who sought anonymity told the Star that some of the Azimio MCAs are not in support of the ‘appointed’ leaders.
“We know our colleagues very well and we know their agenda in this assembly. Many ODM MCAs unfortunately are also not in support of their appointment...Only time will tell," the MCA said.
Speaking to the Star, Ogeto said the speaker cannot purport to revoke a communication he communicated on the floor of the house outside the chambers.
He explained that the only way he can reverse the communication was to revoke it on the floor on the house and not in his office.
“We have very new members including the Speaker who are not updated on our Standing Orders and assembly laws. They have to be inducted and know the law not just talking to the media,” Ogeto said.
The Kilimani legislator defending his appointment said the letter came from the party and was signed by its Secretary General Edwin Sifuna who is Nairobi Senator.
The letter as seen by the Star was dated September 5, 2022, and addressed to the Clerk of the county assembly by Sifuna.
It had a stamp of received at 8:30am by the office of the clerk, on the same date.
"Further to deliberations within the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance to which ODM belongs, it has been agreed to reserve the positions of Speaker, Majority Leader, Majority Whip, their deputies and member of the CASB for the ODM party," read the letter
Explaining further why he revoked the communication, Speaker Ng’ondi said he was shocked that the purported communication was said to have been received from the Azimio coalition, and the list of leaders was made even before he assumed office.
"This is contrary to all laid down practice and procedure regarding the authority of the chairperson to determine and approve the business of the house,” Ng’ondi added.
He even revealed that as the chairperson of the house, he did not approve the said communication nor authorise the clerk to prepare the same.
The Speaker also noted that the communication was not from the party as stated under Section of the County Government s Act, 2012 and the Standing Orders.
Standing Order requires that any communication regarding the leadership of any party in the house emanate from the party or its organs.
In this case, Ng’ondi said he learnt that his office was indeed not in receipt of any such letter, and the communication, therefore, had no backing.
"The office of the clerk which prepared the communication did not attach the said official communication from the party upon further scrutiny by the Speaker," he added.
In addition, Speaker Ng’ondi has called for urgent investigations to be carried out and stern disciplinary measures taken against all officers who contrived to occasion the embarrassment.
The Kenya Kwanza coalition which is the minority is yet to announce its leadership at the assembly.