Political tension is escalating in Nairobi County following a fiery plenary session where Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) launched a scathing attack on city-based Members of Parliament (MPs), accusing them of sidelining ward representatives during presidential events.
Led by Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok, the MCAs alleged that several MPs particularly from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have hijacked platforms meant for broader city representation, effectively locking out ward-level leaders during engagements with President William Ruto.
“We are not lesser leaders; we must be respected,” declared Imwatok. “Some of our colleagues in Parliament behave as if they are the only ones who deserve the President’s attention. We shall expose you to the end.”
Imwatok claimed that at least three MPs have deliberately undermined efforts by MCAs to build a constructive relationship with the President, with the apparent backing of certain individuals within State House protocol.
The MCAs further alleged that during official presidential functions in Nairobi, they are often replaced by “political brokers” instead of being accorded the dignity they deserve as elected leaders.
“We must be treated with dignity, Mr Speaker. We shall not allow these MPs to demean us in the name of the ‘big boys syndrome.’ The dignity of this House and its Honourable Members must be protected,” Imwatok stated emphatically.
In response to the ongoing marginalization, the MCAs have asked Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Ken Ng’ondi to facilitate a direct meeting between the ward representatives and President Ruto.
They believe such a forum would offer an appropriate platform to raise development issues affecting their wards and reaffirm their significance in the city’s governance.
“We are calling upon you, Speaker, to please move with speed and initiate our meeting with the President. It will be the best opportunity to air out our views and issues affecting our wards. We are not going to deal with brokers anymore,” Imwatok concluded.
The remarks underline growing discontent within Nairobi’s devolved leadership and signal an emerging rift between grassroots representatives and national-level politicians.
