Governor Johnson Sakaja on the spot as city ward reps question delays to swear them in

Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo said the swearing-in should not be delayed any longer since there is need to embark on serving the electorates.

"The voters don't want to know whether we have been sworn in or not. All they want is to be served and promises we made during campaigns be fulfilled," Odhiambo said yesterday.

Odhiambo challenged Governor Sakaja to convene the first sitting by Thursday as it had been speculated.

His Gatina Ward counterpart Kennedy Swaka said some members were now operating from the streets and cyber cafes since they had not been sworn in.

"It's shameful that other county assemblies have kicked off business yet here in Nairobi, we are being told to loiter in streets because the governor is trying to buy time," Sakwa said.

However, Peter Imwatok, the outgoing Minority Whip argues that the MCA's have no mandate to pressure Governor Sakaja before the constitutional timelines lapse.

Nomination list

Imwatok, who is serving his third time as Makongeni ward member, says the Constitution stipulates that the members must be sworn in before 30 days after the gazettement of nominated members.

"The members don't have powers to pressure the governor because it is barely two weeks since the list of nominated members was gazette," Imwatok said.

"I have spoken to Sakaja and we have planned for a meeting to discuss the first sitting. He said the latest it can happen is next week Tuesday," Imwatok.

Recently, Imwatok said Sakaja will succeed if he works in tandem with the County Assembly as it is.

He said that even though members from the Azimio coalition have the upper hand in terms of numbers, it will not hinder them from carrying out their legislative roles.

"The governor needs to work in harmony with the assembly because these are two arms of government," said Imwatok.