Governor Sakaja in Trouble with Senators Over Embakasi Gas explosion Meeting
Governor Johnson Sakaja of Nairobi has once more encountered rtouble with Senators due to the last-minute cancellation of his scheduled meeting.
On Thursday, March 21, the Governor was invited to testify before the Senate Committee on Energy regarding the Embakasi Gas explosion, which tragically claimed the lives of innocent citizens.
He conveyed regret to the committee via letter at 8:15 am, precisely forty-five minutes prior to his scheduled appearance. Sakaja explained in the correspondence that he would be absent due to his attendance at a funeral.
He apprised the committee members of his attendance at the funeral of Benjamin Gathiru, the father of Embakasi Central MP Mejjadonk, who died on March 12.
The committee, however, was so irritated by the letter of regret that it decided to call the governor in for additional interrogation. An appearance has been requested of him on Thursday, March 28.
In attendance at the meeting, Senator Edwin Sifuna of Nairobi reaffirmed that the House should adopt a resolution mandating the arrest of all leaders who neglect to respond to summonses.
Sifuna argued in the proposal introduced for the first time in February that the Ksh500,000 sanction was insufficient to compel the leaders or prevent their conduct.
The Parliamentary Powers and Privileges (Amendment) Bill includes the proposal that, if passed, would establish a Parliamentary Police Unit with the authority to apprehend cabinet secretaries, governors, and principal secretaries who neglect to comply with the summons.
“There is no other way to give this House teeth and ensure that we can carry out our mandate and tie up these loose ends that will ensure that we can do our work effectively,” Sifuna remarked.
Sakaja, in particular, is one of the leaders who has consistently disregarded the summonses. For the same, the governor was fined Ksh500,000 in November 2023.
Sakaja was formally informed of multiple concerns expressed by residents of Nairobi on November 14 of the previous year. Nonetheless, he disregarded this and was re-called into court on November 30.
In addition, he neglected to mention that he was in South Africa. Because of this consistent conduct, the legislators decided to levy a more substantial penalty.
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Governor Sakaja in Trouble with Senators Over Embakasi Gas explosion Meeting
