Elachi’s joy cut short as MCAs vow to appeal ruling

Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi. [Standard]

The tussle between embattled Speaker Beatrice Elachi and city ward reps is far from over despite last week’s court ruling reinstating her.

Members of the Nairobi County Assembly are now planning to appeal the ruling by the Employment and Labour Relations court, even as they maintain their stance that they will not allow Ms Elachi into the assembly precincts.

Assembly Majority leader Abdi Guyo yesterday told The Standard they had already instructed lawyer Tom Ojienda to move to the Court of Appeal this week.

“We have instructed the lawyer to proceed and appeal the ruling. We feel the ruling was not fair and it came with many conditions that we feel gagged us from performing our roles as the assembly,” stated Mr Guyo.

Sources intimated to The Standard that there was a planned special sitting aimed at passing a vote of no confidence against Elachi, who is currently out of the country. Guyo, however, said he was not aware of such a sitting.

Sought for comment, Elachi stated that she was out of the country and would address the matter when she returns.

The latest development comes just days after Elachi extended an olive branch to the city MCAs, urging them to start over on a clean slate and serve Nairobi residents better.

A source close to her, but who sought anonymity, told The Standard the embattled Speaker had been reaching out to political leaders such as Opposition leader Raila Odinga to try convincing the MCAs to allow her back.

“Last week, Raila called Governor Mike Sonko and prevailed upon him to urge Jubilee MCAs to allow Elachi back, even if for a short while, but it seems they have already made up their mind. They will not work with Elachi," the source said.

Elachi was impeached last September over alleged abuse of office.

A Motion tabled by Waithaka MCA Anthony Kiragu listed various violations of the law such as conflict of interest, undermining the authority of the County Assembly Service Board, abuse of office, gross misconduct as well as failure to show leadership.

But last week, the court ruled in favour of Elachi, quashing her ouster.

Justice Maureen Onyango cited massive flaws and dismissed the assembly’s argument that the court had no powers to meddle in legislative processes of parliaments. She also blocked the MCAs from impeaching Elachi in future.

The County Assembly Public Service Board was also ordered not to interfere with her terms of employment. Elachi will consequently receive her backdated salaries that had been stopped and enjoy all privileges associated with the Speaker’s office.

The assembly leadership has, however, faulted the court’s ruling, vowing not to work with Elachi.