Refrain from divisive politics, Sakaja tells Mutura

 

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has urged Acting Governor Benson Mutura to be a symbol of unity in his new role.

He asked him to refrain from politics that could divide the assembly and the executive.

Speaking to the Star, Sakaja said Mutura’s first task should be to ensure that the assembly and the executive are united for service delivery.

“As I said back in the Senate last week, the division among MCAs is not good for Nairobians. We need to end the divisive narrative that has been a cliché in Nairobi county," he said.

Mutura, who was elected in August as the third speaker of the assembly, was on Monday sworn in as acting governor following Mike Sonko’s impeachment last week.

He is expected to be in office for 60 days until Nairobi goes for a by-election and elects a substantive governor.

Sakaja described Mutura as an eloquent leader having worked with him back in the National Assembly.

“I wish him all the best and tell him that here at the Senate we are open for any consultation,” he added.

INSTRUMENTS OF POWER: Nairobi county assembly Speaker Benson Mutura after being sworn in as Acting Governor of Nairobi at KICC on December 21, 2020
Image: MAUREEN KINYANJUI

The Nairobi Senator also urged Mutura to follow the law while executing his mandate both as the acting governor and the speaker.

“While in this transitional period it is important that the law should be followed to the letter. And in the Senate we will continue with our mandate and oversight the county,” Sakaja said.

He also  advised Mutura not to be drawn into the divisive politics of factions, noting he should be able to rise above that.

 “As an acting governor he is a shepherd stewarding the county at an uncertain transition period, so he needs to be stable,” Sakaja added.

In his first speech in office, Mutura said despite his assumption of office being temporary, he would work with all to ensure the operations of the county government.

Noting that impeachment processes by their very nature are acrimonious and lead to fallouts especially among MCAs, the acting governor pledged to undertake all endeavours to unite the people.

Mutura gave his assurance that no one would be victimised regarding the position they took in the ouster process.

"As I assume Office, I promise to bring together all the leaders whether you supported the impeachment or not. The choice was your democratic right guaranteed by the Constitution and therefore no one should be victimised for making a choice," he said.