By Antynet Ford
Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja had a hard time appearing before the Senate Committee where he had been summoned over the implementation of the Urban Renewal plan by the County.
The head of the city found himself ‘rubbing shoulders’ with the city senator Edwin Sifuna who asked him to apologize to the residents of Nairobi who were affected by his earlier snub of the committee.
Sifuna seized the moment and called out Sakaja in front of the members of the Senate’s Roads, Transportation, and Housing Committee, suggesting that the Governor’s claim of traveling out of the country was insufficient.
“I don’t think it is fair for you Governor to just tell the people of Nairobi that you had travelled. All these people I can assure you that Sakaja knows all these leaders individually and they are the ones who are disappointed.” Sifuna said while referring to leaders of estates set to be demolished in the regeneration plan.
“For me, I don’t mind because as you know I don’t live in any of those estates. We bring these matters before the Senate not on our behalf but on behalf of these people and they are the people who have been disappointed and are the people you owe an apology.” He added.
Sifuna accused Sakaja of not giving priority to urgent and pertinent issues, adding that he was being disrespectful to the residents who elected him.
“You say you showed up in the Senate last week but that was for a selfish reason because governors in this country only find use for the Senate when they are looking for more resources for counties. You were there, and I watched it, to present your case.” Sifuna lamented.
“For me chair, my disappointment is expressed on behalf of the people of Nairobi who are seeking answers from you and it is not enough to tell people that you have traveled. Many of these people will never get the opportunity to travel to those countries you travel when you are supposed to prioritize parliamentary business as is the law.” He continued.
The lecture by Sifuna comes after Sakaja previously failed to appear before the same committee claiming to have travelled out of the country which led to him being fined Sh500,000 which according to Sifuna is peanuts for the governors.
Yesterday, the Senate committee ordered the Nairobi County Government to suspend implementation of the plan pending conclusive public participation and until the petition by the affected residents is addressed.
The Nairobi Urban Regeneration plan entails the redevelopment of 13 estates in the city beginning with seven of them including Woodley, Jericho, Ziwani, Maringo, Bahati, Lumumba, and Kariobangi North.
However, Sakaja opposed the decision to halt the implementation of the plan arguing that seven contracts have already been signed with developers.
