Elachi picks new clerk as row hits assembly

The battle between Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi and clerk Jacob Ngwele took a fresh twist after a new clerk was sworn-in.

Mr Edward Gichana took office in a tightly guarded ceremony at the assembly.

This happened even as MCAs at the assembly remain divided on who is the assembly's bona fide clerk. MCAs in support of Mr Ngwele have, however, vowed not to recognise the new man, setting a stage for a showdown at the assembly.

Mr Ngwele has also stood his ground saying that he will continue discharging his duties as the assembly's clerk after clearance by the Ethics and Anti-corruption (EACC) office as well as the existence of a court order saying that status quo be maintained.

He pointed out that the case concerning his contested appointment into office is still in court since 2013, adding that the Employment and Labour Relations Court barred anybody from acting as a clerk of the assembly in November 25, 2019 pending the determination of the case.

CONSENT ORDER

“There has never been a vacancy in the office of the clerk as claimed by the Speaker. There was a consent order recorded by the courts that I resume my duties,” said Mr Ngwele.

Mr Gichana, the head of internal audit and risk management at Nairobi county government, was approved as new clerk by ward representatives allied to Speaker Elachi on Thursday afternoon.

This was after Mr Ngwele returned to office on Thursday nine months after being kicked out by Ms Elachi.

Nonetheless, Speaker Elachi and county legislators in support of her have vowed to treat him as a “visitor” saying they now have a new clerk.

Speaker Elachi said Mr Ngwele is a “visitor” at the assembly as he has never been formally appointed since his name has never been tabled in the assembly for approval.

“Mr Ngwele is no longer the clerk and he has no orders to say he is the clerk of the assembly,” said Ms Elachi.

ANNOUNCED VACANCY

The Speaker stated that three months ago, the assembly’s service board announced a vacancy in the office of the clerk, advertisement was made last month and 11 individuals made it to the shortlist for interview.

“We have followed the procedures and recruited a clerk. Mr Edward Gichana was our number one with 79.1 points followed by Mr Gad Otieno with 69.63 points and Mr Sammy Kiptoo 66 points,” said Speaker Elachi.

She alleged that MCAs opposed to her decision have been asking her to bring back Mr Ngwele.

Waithaka ward MCA Anthony Kiragu accused the Speaker of becoming rogue and dropping names of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s names to achieve her selfish agenda.