Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has sacked his County Executive Committee Member (CEC) for Finance and Economic Planning Charles Kerich.
Sakaja appointed Ibrahim Auma Nyangoya to act as County Executive Committee Member for Finance and Economic Planning with immediate effect.
Kerich was on spotlight over a number of complaints and under investigation by various agencies.
Sakaja also suspended County Chief Officer for Urban Planning Patrick Akivaga Analo following his arrest by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) over alleged corruption and the recovery of substantial sums of money.
EACC CEO Abdi Mohamud had asked the governor to suspend Analo pending investigations.
EACC confirmed they recovered at least Sh65 million from the home of Analo in a raid.
The money included Sh51,300,000 and 113,000 US Dollars (approximately Sh14,000,000), at his residence in Syokimau within Machakos County and in his motor vehicle’s boot.
Other valuable evidence recovered included several title deeds, motor vehicle log books, laptops, land and motor vehicle sale agreements, and approval plans from Nairobi County Government, mobile phones, iPads, electronic accessories, and other documentary evidence.
In a statement issued on Friday, Sakaja said the county government respects the ongoing investigations and will fully cooperate with the EACC and other relevant agencies.
“The County Government respects the rule of law and will fully cooperate with the EACC and all relevant agencies to facilitate the investigations,” the governor said.
Sakaja emphasized that corruption has no place in public service, adding that every public officer is individually accountable for their actions and must answer to the law where allegations of wrongdoing arise.
At the same time, he noted that all persons are entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a court of law.
The governor announced that Analo has been suspended with immediate effect pending the conclusion of investigations. During the suspension period, he will not be allowed access to his office, official documents, or county systems.
Director of Development Management Dominic Mutegi has been appointed to act in the position.
Sakaja also unveiled a series of reforms within the Urban Planning department aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability.
Among the measures, the Urban Planning Technical Committee responsible for processing development approvals will be immediately reconstituted.
The county has requested nominees from key agencies and professional bodies, including the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, the Kenya Institute of Planners, the Architectural Association of Kenya, the Engineers Board of Kenya, resident associations, and the Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company.
The county has further proposed that the EACC provide a liaison officer to assist both the committee and members of the public on matters relating to urban planning and development control.
Pending the reconstitution of the committee, all processing of development approvals has been suspended.
Urgent cases will be handled directly by the County Executive Committee Member for Built Environment and Urban Planning, Patrick Mbogo, in accordance with the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019.
The governor assured Nairobi residents that service delivery would continue uninterrupted as investigations proceed and promised additional changes within the sector in the coming days.
Analo was questioned pending outcome of the probe. He was released on Sh50,000 cash bail.
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