By Victor Nabiswa
Embattled Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi was rescued by the high court moments after Members of the County Assembly ousted her.
Elachi who rushed to the High Court received a court order to reinstate her and also preventing Nairobi County Assembly from ousting her.
The directive by Justice Maureen Onyango also stopped the assembly members from replacing her with any other preferred candidate, at least for now.
Elachi was impeached after 102 out of 122 MCAs majorly from the NASA Coalition voted in favors of a motion moved by Waithaka Ward representative Antony Kiragu, which sought to remove her from the seat.
A motion tabled by Kiragu listed various violations of the Constitution, Leadership and Integrity Act 2012, as well as the Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, as the reasons for the speaker’s ouster.
He alleged violations included conflict of interest, undermining the authority of the county assembly service board, abuse of office, gross misconduct as well as failure to show leadership.
“The conduct of the Hon Beatrice Elachi, through her actions and omissions, has caused the assembly great humiliation and brought the office of the speaker into disrepute, contrary to The laws on conduct of State officers of her level, this assembly resolves to sanction Hon Elachi… pursuant to Section 11 of the County Governments Act, 2012,” said Kiragu.
Other grounds included failing to meet leadership and integrity act 2012 and also the powers and privileges act 2017.