Sakaja under fire as Sifuna scolds him at Senate meeting

In addition to being hit with a Ksh.500,000 fine for previously snubbing the committee's summons, Sakaja had to bear with a lecture from Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna who fell short of accusing him (Sakaja) of being disrespectful to the residents of Nairobi County.

It all began when Sakaja claimed that he had been unable to honor the previous summons since he had traveled out of the country.

Sifuna would seize the moment to call 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 and that he owed an apology to the affected residents.

"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," said Sifuna referring to leaders of estates set to be demolished in the regeneration plan.

The said leaders were appearing before the committee on behalf of residents who are set to be affected by the plan whose manner of implementation they are opposing. 

"For me really 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," Sifuna added.

The Nairobi Senator went on to accuse the Governor of not giving priority to urgent and pertinent issues, adding that this was one of the reasons behind a proposal before the Senate to have severe penalties for Governors 'like Sakaja'

"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 of Ksh.450 billion that the Council of Governors is pushing. That is the only time you prioritize parliamentary business," Sifuna highlighted.

He went on: "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 had 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."

The Senator played down the Ksh.500,000 fine for skipping the summons, stating that it was inadequate. He highlighted a proposal before the Senate to enhance penalties for those who fail to appear before parliamentary committees and advocated for Parliament to have the power to arrest non-compliant individuals.

"This is why there is a conversation to enhance the penalty for people who fail to appear before parliamentary committees. That amendment has been triggered by Governors like yourself."

"We feel that Ksh.500,000 especially for Governors in cities is peanuts for you. That is just a ticket from here to Johannesburg and back. It is not money... That is not a motivation for people to appear before these committees. We are hoping that in addition to enhancement of fines, as has been proposed before the Senate, Parliament now needs powers to arrest people," said Sifuna.

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. 

On Tuesday, 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.

Governor Sakaja opposed the decision to halt the implementation of the plan arguing that seven contracts have already been signed with developers.