Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has finally cleared the air on the reason he has been failing to appear before the Senate Energy Committee.This comes after he given Ksh.500,000 worth of fine on Thursday following a summon that was looking into the Mradi gas explosion in Embakasi that occurred on February 2, leaving 6 dead and over 200 people injured.
Sakaja argued that he had rescheduled the Senate hearing adding that it is not the first time the house has adjourned other summons due to various reasons including travel.
“Sensationalizing a rescheduling and making the Senate appear as if it acts in vain is what belittles the house. Many appearances by other invitees have been rescheduled due to travel, infirmity, or prior booked official engagements,” he said.
Sakaja stated that he has on previous accounts honoured the summons by the house adding that he is more than willing to answer questions regarding the Mradi blast or Financial Year 2020 to 2022 audits.
“I have appeared severally and will continue to do so. I have no reasons not to answer or respond to any questions raised on Mradi or FY 20-22 audits,” Sakaja asserted.
He went on to assert that he takes summons from the senate with utmost gravity, and in no way would he undermine the summons adding that honouring them is a constitutional requirement.
“Appearing before the Senate is a constitutional requirement which I take seriously. It is the same members who announced that I was out of the country on Monday who are now up in arms that I am away.”
However this is not the first time he has not appeared before the house bringing his fine by the the house at a total of Ksh. 1 million after failing to appear the second time.
He had also previously been summoned by the County Public Accounts and Investments Committee (CPAIC) on April 8 to explain how Ksh.76 billion was used in four subsequent Financial Years from 2019 to 2023, but failed to appear.
Appearing before the Senate is a constitutional requirement which I take seriously.
It is the same members who announced that I was out of the country on Monday who are now up in arms that I am away.
I have appeared severally and will continue to do so. I have no reasons not…
— Sakaja Arthur Johnson (@SakajaJohnson) April 11, 2024