Nairobi Governor Johson Sakaja has been summoned by the Senate Standing Committee on Roads Transportation and Housing.
In a statement, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said the Committee made the decision after Sakaja failed to honor previous summons.
“The Governor of Nairobi has repeatedly failed to appear before the Senate Committee on Housing to respond to serious concerns from residents of the old council estates that are earmarked for redevelopment.
“The Committee has today resolved to now issue summons to ensure he appears, “said Sifuna.
Further, Sifuna shared previous invitation letters sent to Sakaja by the Housing Committee.
In a letter dated June 16, 2023, the Committee requested Sakaja to provide information regarding the urban renewal plan for Eastlands Area in Nairobi County as part of its inquiry into the programme.
Allegations on Sakaja
Additionally, the Committee said its attention had been drawn to allegations of intimidation and threats by county government officials to officials of the residents’ associations who opposed the plans for re-development of the estates.
For this reason, the Committee asked the governor to submit a copy of the agreement between the lsraeli Government and the Government of Kenya for construction of the estates through a Tenant Purchase Scheme.
Also, Sakaja was requested provide a copy of Volume 1, 2 and3 of the report on Urban Renewal Plan for Eastlands, Nairobi.
He was also to provide a copy of development control guidelines for Eastlands.
“Give the status of response of the County Government to a Petition by residents of New Pumwani/ California Estate for conversion of social housing units to Tenant Purchase Scheme,” read the letter in parts.
Besides, the governor was to avail himself and explain the status of the current ownership of the houses in the estates as well as a copy of title deeds for the parcels of land on which the estates are built.
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Additionally, he was to provide the original plans for the development of the estates.
“The purpose of this letter is to request you to submit the afore-mentioned information by email, to the address clerk. Senate @parliament.go.ke and [email protected] on or before Friday,30 June 2023,” read the letter.
The governor was supposed to explain the circumstances under which a contractor was given approval for re- development of New Pumwani/California estate and then demolished Flat C-5 on May 27, 2023, at 2.00 a.m.
Furthermore, he was directed to submit a Statement of rent collected by the County Government of Nairobi since 1985 for Ofafa Jericho Estate, 1988 for Jericho Lumumba Estate and 1990 for Ofafa Maringo Estate.
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Follow Up Invitation
Again, the Committee wrote a letter to Sakaja on October 4, 2023, after a statement by Senator Boni Khalwale regarding the status of operation of the Green Park Terminus and the upgrade project of Uhuru Park and Central Park, Nairobi County.
The letter was also a reminder of the information sought by the Committee on the urban renewal plan for the Eastlands Area.
Akso, the Committee noted with concern the incomplete and inadequate responses submitted by Sakaja.
“The purpose of this letter is to inform you of the resolution of the Committee and invite you to a meeting of the Committee scheduled to be held on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 11:00 am at Bunge Tower, Parliament Buildings,” read the letter.
In addition, the Committee requested him to submit comprehensive responses to the issues raised in the letter dated June 16,2023.
Sakaja Rescheduled Meeting
In another letter dated October 16, the Committee rescheduled Sakaja’s meeting from October 12 to October 13.
Again, the Committe requested the governor to submit the documents in the letter dated June 16.
Additionally, he was allowed to appear with officers necessary to assist him in responding to the information needed.
Seemingly, Governor Sakaja still didn’t appear prompting the latest decision.
