Sakaja faces MPs' fury over garbage dumping outside Stima plaza
The county boss called the event "barbaric, primitive and uncouth" but struggled to identify who authorized the dumping of the waste.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja was under fire on Monday after MPs raised serious concerns about a garbage dumping incident outside Stima Plaza.
The controversy centred around the governor's claims that it only took less than 30 minutes to have the waste cleared, despite the garbage trucks remaining in place for four days.
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The issue began when city council workers dumped waste in front of Stima Plaza, leading to a confrontation between the Nairobi County Government and Kenya Power.
Sakaja admitted that while the garbage was eventually removed, it took until Saturday, four days after the incident for the trucks to leave.
1 "This was not the decision of the drivers," committee members were told.
The incident is tied to a larger financial dispute between Nairobi County and Kenya Power, with the county owing the utility firm Sh1.5 billion.
Sakaja explained that this financial issue led to the disconnection of electricity, affecting the county's operations.
At the same time, he pointed out that Kenya Power owes Nairobi County Sh4.9 billion in unpaid rates and charges.
The controversy intensified when Sakaja clashed with the Director-General of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), Mamo Mamo, during the session. Mamo stated that the garbage trucks involved were not licensed by the authority.
Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo was particularly outspoken, demanding that Sakaja clarify why the garbage trucks, which kept Stima Plaza cordoned off, remained at the scene for so long. "You are saying that you had the garbage removed within 30 minutes, but Kenya Power went to court to demand that you clear the garbage," Tongoyo said, urging the governor to provide written confirmation that the area had been inspected and was safe for use.
Suspended operations
Tensions also arose when Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja, accompanied by his deputies, explained that they had suspended operations in Northern Kenya to appear before the committee.
Kanja mentioned that he had been set to oversee security issues in Samburu, while other senior officers were assigned to Marsabit, demonstrating the seriousness of the matter.
MPs were particularly upset by Sakaja's admission that the decision to block the entrance to Stima Plaza using the garbage trucks was made by the city-county government.
"The waste was cleared, but the trucks remained there," Sakaja said, blaming Kenya Power for the incident. He added that two county officials, Dr John Ntoiti and James Lempaka, had been suspended over the incident.
Despite the suspensions, Nairobi County Secretary Godfrey Akumali, who had been outspoken about withholding the trucks until Kenya Power paid its Sh4.9 billion debt, was not among those suspended.
MPs expressed frustration over the governor's focus on his grievances with Kenya Power rather than addressing why the garbage was dumped in the first place. Elgeyo Marakwet County Woman Representative Caroline Ngelechei questioned Sakaja's leadership, saying, "This governor has spent more time speaking so much about his frustrations with Kenya Power but he is not telling us why the garbage was dumped at the facility."
Mamo from NEMA stressed the international implications of the incident, calling it a blow to the country's global image.
"Nairobi city is the environmental capital of the world. The incident has really dented the image of the country globally," he stated. Mamo revealed that he was working closely with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to prepare charges against those involved in the garbage dumping.
DCI Director Mohamed Amin told the committee that several county staff members had recorded statements and that some individuals would be arraigned soon.
"By the end of this week, we hope that we will have submitted the files to the Director of Public Prosecutions," Amin confirmed.
As the investigation continues, questions remain about accountability for the incident and the wider financial issues between the county government and Kenya Power.
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