Jubilee Governor Calls for Dissolution of Nairobi County

Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki has called for the dissolution of Nairobi County and its operations reverted back to the national government.

Njuki wants the scrapping of Nairobi County to be included in the referendum to end what he terms as duplication of roles between City Hall and the national government.

Governor Njuki further argues that the Kenyan capital is an important area that should not be under a Governor. He cites past experiences where the President has been forced to stoop down to a Governor for consultations before rolling out crucial development projects.

"We cannot have a county like Nairobi as it is a metropolitan. It does not qualify to be a county," says Njuki as quoted by the Daily Nation.

Muthomi further says that individuals and parties are spending billions of shillings in a bid to capture the Nairobi gubernatorial seat due to the power one wields when in control of city resources.

"Look at what [Evans] Kidero used to do to Jubilee Party and President Uhuru Kenyatta when he controlled Nairobi. They would book a venue only for the county government to revoke and give it to the opposition," Njuki claims.

He says Nairobi should be depoliticized like other cities in the world such as Washington DC, in the US. He says Nairobi should be governed by a mayor and departmental heads accountable to the national government.

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot has crafted a bill seeking to have operations of Nairobi reverted to the national government. The bill is currently being scrutinized by the Senate Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.

Former Murang'a Senator Kembi Gitura had also made a similar proposal in the 11th parliament but it was shot down.