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Nairobi County finds itself embroiled in controversy following the secondment of nine officials from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to City Hall, a move that has ignited a firestorm of criticism and legal scrutiny. The Adhoc Committee on the Decline of Revenue in Nairobi County, led by Majority Leader Peter Imwatok, has raised significant concerns over the procedural irregularities surrounding the appointment of these officials.
The committee’s concerns center on the lack of formal approval sought by Governor Sakaja for the secondment of KRA officials to City Hall. Former Mayor and Baba Dogo MCA Geoffrey Majiwa condemned the action as an “illegality,” highlighting the absence of a formal extension presented to the assembly.
Majiwa asserted, “That was an illegality. There was no extension brought to this assembly by the Governor. A letter with a signature cannot be purported to give KRA the leeway to extend their star after the end of the Nairobi Metropolitan Service tenure.”
In defense of the secondment, Annastacia Githuba, Deputy Commissioner of the County Revenue Division, and legal adviser Sylvester Okello explained that the move was approved by the KRA board following a request from Governor Sakaja. However, questions remain regarding the lack of transparency and formal approval from the County Assembly.
Acting County Secretary Patrick Analo defended the selection of these officials, citing their prior experience during the Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) tenure. However, concerns were raised about the absence of a framework to guide their engagement.
Sylvester Okello acknowledged the lack of an existing framework, stating, “The framework needed further consultation, therefore at the moment we are operating without a framework.”
Furthermore, questions arose regarding the source of salary for the seconded officials, with County Executive for Finance Charles Kerich confirming that no payments had been processed due to the absence of a legally binding document.
“Upto date we have not processed any payment because we have no legally binding document to make us pay them,” explained Kerich.
Another contentious issue highlighted during the inquiry was the restricted access to the Nairobi Revenue System servers by both County executive officers and KRA officials. Anastacia Githuba revealed her limited access even during the NMS tenure, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in revenue management.
The ongoing scrutiny underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to legal procedures in Nairobi County’s governance. As stakeholders demand clarity and accountability, the controversy surrounding the secondment of KRA officials casts a shadow over the county’s administration, raising pertinent questions about procedural integrity and governance practices.