ODM leader Raila Odinga has met Nairobi County Assembly leadership twice in a span of four days in a bid to reconcile MCAs with Governor Johnson Sakaja.
On Monday evening, Raila met the Assembly leadership at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation (JOOF) offices in Upperhill, just a few hours after the MCAs announced they had collected 100 signatures to oust Sakaja.
The meeting followed a similar one held on Friday at Raila’s home off Kerarapon road, Karen, that was attended by Sakaja, his deputy Njoroge Muchiri and key leaders of the Assembly led by Speaker Ken Ngondi.
Consequently, Raila is hosting all Azimio MCAs this morning in Upperhill as their UDA counterparts are expected to meet President William Ruto today, Tuesday, as the two coalitions seek a truce to save Sakaja.
Raila called for the meeting as it’s emerging that the ODM party that controls the majority in the Assembly is keen not to be seen as the one ‘fighting’ its Broad-based’ partner UDA in Nairobi.
The issues of the ODM-UDA relationship were first deliberated at an ODM Central Committee meeting held last Thursday at Orange House, chaired by Raila.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed is said to have raised the issue, urging the need to hold dialogue between the warring parties, prompting the series of meetings.
Monday’s nearly 5-hour meeting was attended by Speaker Ng’ondi, Majority Leader Peter Imwatok, Majority Whip Moses Ogeto, Deputy Majority Whip Stazo Omungala, Deputy Majority Leader John Ndile and Chairman of the Budget and Appropriations Committee Willfred Odalo.
From the Minority side, Leader Anthony Kiragu, Deputy Waithera Chege Mwaura, Whip Mark Mugambi and Deputy Whip Joyce Kamau added.
The meeting resolved to convene separate meetings of both the majority (Azimio) and minority (UDA) before holding a joint meeting to deliberate with members to resolve issues.
Among the issues to be discussed are stalled development projects, including dilapidated roads, allocation and utilisation of Ward Fund kitty, bursaries allocation and members' welfare.
“Our party leader (Raila) emphasised the need to resolve the issues and avoid instability in Nairobi. It doesn’t serve anyone’s interest to fight, especially as both teams are in the Broad-based government,” South C MCA Abbas Khalif said. On Monday noon, Kileleshwa’s Robert Alai sought to downplay the meeting between Raila, Sakaja and MCAs, saying the county chief always seeks refuge in the ODM leader whenever under siege.
“You know, when there is always a tiff between MCAs and the Governor, he runs to Raila Odinga and gets saved. This time it will not be easier for him because the issues at hand are between him and the MCAs and not Raila,” Alai said.
Roysambu’s Petterson Wamumbi added, “Raila has always spoken for himself. If he feels he has something to say, he will. For now, people should not speak on his behalf.”
Nairobi West MCA Rex Omolleh insisted that the efforts by Raila may not bear fruit unless the governor addresses the issues raised by county legislators.
“No one will coerce MCAs to vote a certain way. We are raising legitimate issues that bedevil the county. Raila’s intervention may not help at all,” Omolleh added.
Alai insisted that MCAs have already made a decision, but he will attend today’s meeting to understand why the governor is seeking help outside the assembly and also to explain to their party leader why they want Sakaja out.
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