President Uhuru Kenyatta could soon order the Nairobi County government to be dissolved, if a petition by a city trader is adopted.
The chairman of Muthurwa Residents Association Welfare, Patrick Kamotho Githinji, has petitioned both President Kenyatta and the Senate seeking for dissolution of the City County government.
In his petition, Githinji said Governor Mike Sonko’s administration had failed to deliver services as a result of internal conflicts that have made it impossible for the county to serve Nairobi residents.
The trader further claims that the continued establishment of the Nairobi County Government would encourage loss of public funds through corruption and broken accountability processes.
According to article 192 of the Constitution, a County Government may be dissolved by the President on two grounds. First, in an emergency arising out of internal conflict or war. Second, in any other exceptional circumstances.
If the President orders dissolution of a county government due to internal conflict, a commission of inquiry must be formed to investigate such allegations of conflict, and submit a recommendation to the head of state.
The city government has been faced with various wrangles including the recent impeachment of County Speaker Beatrice Elachi.
There have also been pressure on Governor Sonko to pick a deputy and avoid a legal impasse.
In 2014, Makueni County faced a similar possibility after a petition initiated by Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana.
President Kenyatta formed a tribunal which further recommended dissolution of the county – but the head of state over ruled their recommendation and allowed the county government to survive.