NAIROBI county assembly proceedings were on Wednesday interrupted for the second time in a span of one week as members got involved in a physical fight over a debate to approve names of adhoc committee members.
Chaos erupted when the MCAs were debating the motion moved by majority leader Elias Otieno to approve the names of the adhoc committee members to look into the alleged skewed allocation and disbursement of public money to projects within four wards.
The MCAs differed after the speaker ruled that the “yes” said had carried the day and a fight broke out between Kayole South MCA Elizabeth Manyala and Kariobangi North MCA Michael Wainaina.
Manyala fell on the ground after she was pushed by Wainaina following attempts to snatch the microphone from the Kariobangi North MCA who was addressing the house.
As Manyala and Wainaina squared it out, Nelson Masiga of Eastleigh South and Antony Karanja of Waithaka Ward were also exchanging blows.
Nairobi West MCA Maurice Gare and his Viwandani counterpart Samwel Nyangwara were also exchanging blows on the opposite side of the Assembly.
The Sergeant- at -arm and his men were overpowered and the speakers body guards also entered the chambers to intervene.
As the situation worsened, the administration police and county askaris who guard city hall had to be called in to restore calm.
Last week on Thursday,Karanja tabled documents in the chamber alleging that only four wards benefited from the 2013-14 project allocation.
He alleged that the four wards -South C,Mihang’o,Kasarani and Ngara -received Sh1billion out of the Sh1.25billion allocated for development projects last year.
The speaker ordered the leadership of the house to constitute an adhoc committee to investigate the allegations.
The Majority leader yesterday tabled the names of the adhoc committee to be debated when the members disagreed causing the drama.
The motion was however later passed on a head count with the “yes” getting 41 against 31 of the “nays”
Speaking at City Hall after the melee, Magelo regretted the incident and said that he was shocked.
“I am shocked that cartels can come into City Hall and cause members to fight. We had strangers sitting in the public gallery and they are the ones who caused the mayhem. They were communicating with the members and I wont allow this again. Its so sad that members can stoop too low and engage in fisticuffs. These are cartels fighting back ,” Magelo claimed.
Transport and Public works CEC member Mohamed Abdulahi also told the Star that the executive was waiting for the formation of the adhoc committee so that they can engage them.
He said that he had received a letter from the county assembly asking the executive to suspend the ongoing projects.
Mohamed however said that they cannot suspend the projects since it will be a disservice to Nairobians.
“We want them to come up with specifics. We cannot cancel every project that is ongoing. Let them identify the particular areas that have problems,” he said.
The names that were approved are Viwandani MCA,Samwel Nyangwara, Nairobi south MCA Manoah Mboku, Kayole South MCA Elizabeth Manyala, Parklands MCA Jaffer Kassam, noominated MCA Jane Muasya, Karura MCA Kamau Thuo, Ruai MCA Daniel Mari, nominated MCA Janet Kimondo and Dandora area 3 MCA Charles Thuo.
– the-star.co.ke
