After Elachi 'ouster', let’s see work in city

The resignation of Nairobi City County Assembly Speaker Baitrice Elachi was long overdue.

Since her reinstatement by the court following impeachment by MCAs, the national capital has been characterised by imbroglio.

Needless to mention, the latest pandemoniums at the assembly were precipitated by MCAs allied to Ms Elachi against the majority opposed to her leadership. Late last year, some MCAs allied to her violently confronted Majority Leader Abdi Guyo in an attempt at ejecting him from office.

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju’s bid to restore sanity at City Hall were futile.

A tug-of-war between the Speaker and Governor Mike Sonko, and the latter fighting Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Director-General Mohammed Badi for no apparent reason after the general took over some county functions, have led to this sad state of affairs.

In fact, Sonko’s exasperating and inflammatory remarks and acts of impunity are blamed for the sporadic anarchy, unrest and confusion in the assembly.

Change of leadership may halt the factions but supremacy battles will rage. Amid the political animosity, the assembly has become a theatre of power politics.

Elachi’s resignation is a huge relief to the residents. Nairobi is in dire need of transformation.

Many things are dysfunctional — including infrastructure and leadership.  Hopefully, Sonko, MCAs and the General Badi team will now focus on service delivery and development. The time to stop vengeful politics is now for the sake of city residents.

Joseph G. Muthama, Kiambu

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We all witnessed the force with which Beatrice Elachi reclaimed her position of Speaker at the Nairobi City County some months ago. It was a battle getting back to the ‘mad place’.

But now, for her safety and that of her family, Elachi says, she has decided to call it quits.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has not been unconcerned about the capital city. That is why he brought it General Badi. But Governor Sonko is working hard to remain relevant.

There is a reason why the President has vast powers, including in deciding whether to dissolve the Nairobi government. Will he move in and get the right acid to do what he needs to do? That will enable Badi sit firmly in his chair, as we put it in my language.

Githuku Mungai, Nairobi

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The abrupt resignation of Nairobi speaker Beatrice Elachi brings up the question, what drives one to want to resign — and leave all the money, packages and perks the job comes with?

It is important to do that which makes you happy though.

Terry Muriithi, Nairobi