Githurai MCA’s resignation threat over ghost projects exposes Nairobi County governance gaps

A looming resignation by Githurai MCA Deonysias Mwangi Waithira has cast a spotlight on alleged ghost projects and stalled infrastructure in Nairobi, highlighting deep governance gaps in the county administration.

The MCA claims repeated attempts to push through development projects for his constituents have been frustrated, raising questions over accountability and transparency in county-funded works.

Nairobi City County Assembly Minority Leader Anthony Kiragu confirmed that investigations are underway to address the issues raised by Mwangi, noting that similar challenges may exist in other wards.

“This may not be a Githurai ward problem only, and that is why we have sought to launch investigations before taking actions on what will be required of us. You remember what the MCA has raised is part of what we were raising when collecting signatures to impeach the governor. The motion is still pending as we consult as discussed by our leaders, both ODM and UDA,” Kiragu said on Friday while addressing the media at City Hall.

He added that the MCA’s resignation would not resolve the broader issues affecting residents.

“I have advised him and shared with him that resigning is not a solution for the people who elected him. We need to investigate on behalf of the Githurai people and Nairobi at large,” he said.

Kiragu disclosed that he would be consulting the Assembly Speaker, Kennedy Ngondi, before Mwangi formally submits any resignation.

“The Speaker has agreed that we should talk to Mwangi before he takes any further step to share a notice to IEBC declaring vacancy of the seat,” he said.

The Minority Leader also dismissed reports that Mwangi’s decision was motivated by plans to work abroad, calling such claims false and a diversion from the real issues.

Projects paid but unseen on the ground

Mwangi expressed frustration over repeated failed attempts to secure project completion in his ward, including roads such as Cifu, Rurii Powerline, Chiro, Mucoe, Kweche, and Kirogo, as well as facilities at Githurai Level 3 Hospital.

“As a governor, it is very wrong to make such claims on a national radio. As a leader, you should not go around sharing false narratives. For the last three years, the County has been promising to construct the main road in my ward in vain. We have come twice with various stakeholders of the county and stayed at his office the whole day, but nothing happened. The last time we came, we did not get to see him,” he said.

The MCA cited multiple instances where roads and other projects were recorded as completed or ongoing while no visible work had been done, describing them as “ghost projects.”

Among these are Mbuta Road and Kirogo Road, costing Sh4,955,865, and a wider package covering multiple roads totalling Sh12,941,754.

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• City Affairs
• Nairobi County
• Governor Johnson Sakaja
• Githurai Ward MCA Deonysias Mwangi Waithira
• Deonysias Mwangi Waithira
• governance gaps
• Githurai MCA’s resignation threat over ghost projects exposes Nairobi County governance gaps
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“These are not mere personal concerns,” Mwangi said. “They reflect the sovereign aspirations of the people of Githurai Ward, voiced during public participation forums and the annual budget. Unfortunately, these aspirations have remained unfulfilled promises on paper.”

The UDA MCA warned that remaining in office without addressing these issues would amount to complicity in “a governance system that has become unaccountable, unresponsive, and detached.”

Assembly Speaker Kennedy Ngondi clarified that no signed resignation letter has been received from Mwangi, emphasising that under Article 194(1)(b) of the Constitution, a resignation must be in writing, personally signed, and formally delivered to the Speaker to be valid.

Mwangi has given a one-month notice, which paves the way for consultation with his party leaders, constituents, and the County government, saying his resignation will take effect on 1 November 2025 if the issues remain unresolved.