Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Ken Ng'ondi speaking during a meeting led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on September 2, 2025 / HANDOUTNairobi County Assembly Speaker Ken Ng'ondi has reaffirmed the independence of the Assembly, stressing that it is not a department of the Executive.
Ngondi reminded leaders and the public that the Assembly plays an oversight role and must not be undermined or treated as an extension of the Executive.
Speaking during an ODM consultative meeting with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Tuesday, the Speaker said the county governments are public institutions that must uphold transparency and accountability, not private entities run at the whim of individuals.
“The Assembly is not a department of the executive. Our mandate is to legislate, represent the people, and hold the executive accountable. County government is not a private entity; it belongs to the people,” Ng'ondi said.
His remarks come at a time when Nairobi politics is on edge, with divisions emerging over the impeachment debate.
The Speaker’s statement is seen as a call to uphold the Constitution, separation of powers, and the principles of good governance.
ODM leader Raila Odinga, who presided over the consultative meeting, reiterated the importance of strengthening devolution and ensuring that county institutions remain people-centered and accountable.
“Nairobi must not be held hostage by political brinkmanship. Leaders must rise above partisan agendas to deliver for the people,” Raila was quoted as saying.
A section of Nairobi MCAs had vowed to collect signatures in a bid to impeach Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
However, President William Ruto and Raila intervened to defuse tensions over the planned ouster.
According to credible sources who attended the meetings, the two leaders are said to have urged the county leaders to prioritise dialogue and service delivery over political brinkmanship.
President Ruto met UDA MCAs at State House, where he cautioned them against pursuing the ouster motion.
Drawing from his own political experiences, the President reportedly told the ward representatives that leadership requires resilience, not retaliation.
“The president gave an example of himself being the most accused person yet, who has never derailed his work. He urged the MCAs to put aside differences and drop this motion,” a source present said.
