By The Weekly Vision Team
A Nairobi-based lawyer has formally requested Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Ken Ng’ondi to release an ad hoc committee report concerning Nairobi’s revenue collection. In a letter dated September 5, 2024, Mr Owiso Owiso criticized the Speaker for delaying the release of the report, which has been pending for over four months despite the committee’s completion of its work.
Last October, the assembly decided to form an Ad-Hoc committee to examine the county’s local revenue collection systems and their administration. Established in November, the eleven-member committee was given 60 days to investigate the causes behind the decline in revenue, assess the strengths and weaknesses of the current system, and suggest legal, policy, and administrative improvements.
On February 14, 2024, Majority Leader Peter Imwatok proposed an extension of the committee’s mandate for up to 45 days, which was granted by the assembly. The new deadline for the report was set for March 19, 2024. However, Imwatok later requested another extension until April 2, 2024, which was also approved. The Speaker had warned that no further extensions would be entertained.
The Speaker confirmed receipt of the report on April 2, 2024, and indicated he would need time to review it before tabling it on April 16, 2024. Despite this, over four months have passed since the report was received, and it has yet to be presented to the assembly.
In his letter, Owiso expressed surprise at the delay and highlighted the Speaker’s failure to adhere to assembly standing orders, which require timely presentation of reports. He accused the Speaker of obstructing the legal process by withholding a public document and reminded him of his legal obligation to inform the clerk upon receiving the report so it could be tabled.
Owiso emphasized the report’s public significance and the taxpayer funds used for the committee’s work. He demanded the Speaker provide an update on the report’s status and the total costs incurred by the committee. He has requested that the report be tabled immediately when the assembly reconvenes or that the Speaker provide a clear timeline for its presentation.
The letter concludes with a warning that if the requested information is not provided within the stipulated time, legal action will be pursued. A copy of the letter was also sent to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
