Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has come out to justify his reasons for failing to appear before the Senate Energy Committee on Thursday, which saw him fined Ksh.500, 000.
The Nairobi Governor argued that he rescheduled the Senate hearing, arguing that the house has adjourned other summons by individuals invited to the house 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 appeared before the Senate several times, adding that he is willing to answer all the questions addressed concerning the Mradi blast or Financial Year 2020 to 2022 audits. He went on to assert that he takes summons from the senate with utmost gravity, as it is a constitutional requirement.
“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.
“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.”
Sakaja’s statement comes after he was fined Ksh.500,000 , 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.
He was also 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 he did not appear.
