64 Jubilee MCAs plot to topple chief whip

Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi address press at a past function in Nairobi. [File, Standard]

A showdown looms at the Nairobi County Assembly as Jubilee MCAs seek to oust the majority chief whip and her deputy.

Waithaka Ward MCA Anthony Kiragu has started collecting signatures in a petition meant to oust June Ndegwa, the majority whip, and her deputy Ziwani/Kariokor MCA Millicent Mugadi.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been dragged into the leadership wrangles, with reports emerging that he supports the petition.

Mr Kiragu said in an interview that he had garnered the support of 64 Jubilee MCAs, out of the total number of 65 ward reps, in the ouster bid.

He said the MCAs had lost trust in Ms Ndegwa and Ms Mugadi, adding that already plans to hold fresh elections had been mooted. “The process should be over by today. All that remains is taking over the office and afterwards, we will notify the Jubilee Party leadership,” said Kiragu.

Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju said he was aware of the planned change in leadership, but urged the MCAs to maintain the status quo.

“Our position is that the status quo remains. If anyone has legitimate reasons to bring changes, then they should involve the party and not the media," said Mr Tuju, adding: "We know there are vested interests at the assembly and that is why we insist that the status quo remains.”

Ndegwa described the petition as a witch-hunt by MCAs with vested interests. She said a section of MCAs was trying to use the governor’s influence to get back to power.

The position of majority chief whip was previously held by South B MCA Waithera Chege. Ngara MCA Chege Mwaura held it before Ms Chege.

Ndegwa said she was a victim of targeted attacks on women leaders at the assembly, given that Speaker Beatrice Elachi (pictured) and Finance Executive Pauline Kahiga had also been marked for censure.

“I'm being targeted for standing up for what is right and speaking against corruption,” said Ndegwa.

She accused Sonko of pressuring MCAs to sign the petition. Mugadi averred that she was being targeted for her closeness to Ms Elachi. “The MCAs are determined to remove all women leaders from power," said Mugadi.