Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has responded moments after being fined Sh1 million for allegedly skipping Senate summons.
This was after the Senate Energy Committee fined him an extra Sh500,000.
Sakaja in his response said that he values the mandate of the Senate and will continue to appear before the House when required.
The governor said that appearing before the Senate is a constitutional requirement that he takes seriously.
He said it was unfortunate that the matter was being sensationalized.
The Energy Committee chaired by Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga had a week ago fined the city boss a similar amount for snubbing its summon.
"Sensationalizing a rescheduling and making the Senate appear as if it acts in vain is what belittles the house," Sakaja posted on his X account.
“Many appearances by other invitees have been rescheduled due to travel, infirmity, or prior booked official engagements."
The governor said he has no intention not to respond to queries raised including matters flagged by the Auditor General in the 2020-22 audit report.
“I have no reasons not to answer to respond to any questions raised on FY 20-22 audits,’’ he said.
Sakaja said he wondered why the committee was able to understand and report that he had rescheduled his previous planned appearance and yet they are now blaming him.
“It is the same members who announced that I was out of the country on Monday who are now up in arms that I am away. I have appeared severally and will continue to do so,’’ he said.
Sakaja had been summoned by the committee to shed light on the progress of regeneration projects across city estates.
"Nairobi City County Governor @SakajaJohnson fined Sh500,000/- for failure to appear before the Senate Roads & Housing Committee to deliberate on Nairobi Regeneration Projects in City's estates," the Senate said in a statement on X.
Sakaja is presently in Cape Town, South Africa, accompanied by officials of the Nairobi Water Company to reportedly engage in a water reuse conversation together with other global cities.
