Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi’s problems at the Assembly began in September 2018 when she travelled to the United States for a diaspora women network conference.
Some of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) claimed that she had travelled for plastic and knee surgery and vowed to impeach her.
Her pleas to the disgruntled MCAs could not save her from impeachment.
“I plead with the leaders of Nairobi [and say] it is important to sit down and discuss [issues]. The allegations against me are very interesting,” pleaded Elachi in September as MCAs plotted her impeachment.
In an overwhelming backing by 103 MCAs, Elachi was ousted from office, accused of abuse of office, gross misconduct and alleged embezzlement of county funds.
Shortly after Elachi’s impeachment on September 6, 2018, Waithaka MCA Anthon Kiragu said the ousted Speaker had embarrassed the county.
Elachi’s Return
More than twice, Elachi attempted to return to the Assembly with court orders but a section of MCAs thwarted her moves.
Ngara MCA Chege Mwaura and the Majority Leader took over as Speaker until October 9, 2019, when the Labor Court reinstated Elachi.
Elachi’s return in October 2019, turned chaotic.
Some MCAs who were opposed to her return disobeyed court orders, again and blocked her from accessing the Speaker’s office.
In the chaos that ensued, police lobbed teargas to disperse the irate MCAs.
See Also: Jubilee intervenes in Nairobi wrangles, backs Elachi return
An intervention by the Jubilee Party calmed the Assembly but some MCAs vowed their Ngara MCA.
No sooner had Elachi’s woes ended than supremacy battles among the MCA arose.
On Monday, November 11, a section of MCAs fought over party leadership positions at the Assembly.
