Chaos Erupts at County Assemblies Summit as MCAs Eject Sports CS Salim Mvurya, Break into ‘Kasongo’ Song and Dance
The first day of the County Assemblies Summit in Nairobi on Monday, March 17, turned chaotic as Members of County Assembly (MCAs) forcefully removed Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Salim Mvurya from the event.
MCAs Protest Against National Government
MCAs blocked Mvurya from delivering a speech on behalf of President William Ruto. The lawmakers broke into song and dance, chanting slogans demanding the president’s presence at the event. As Mvurya tried to speak, the protestors drowned his words with chants of “No Ruto, No Summit.”
Why Were MCAs Protesting?
The legislators accused the national government of sidelining county assemblies and failing to address their concerns. The meeting, which gathered over 1,400 MCAs under the County Assemblies Forum (CAF), aimed to discuss improving county governance. However, MCAs used the event to protest against issues like inadequate funding, delayed disbursements, and excessive control by the national government.
Videos from the summit showed the charged atmosphere as MCAs sang and danced to the popular Kasongo Yeye song. Some even carried chapatis, seemingly mocking Ruto’s recent pledge to introduce a machine that could make one million chapatis daily for Nairobi students.
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MCAs Issue Demands
After the protest, the MCAs made several demands to both the national and county governments:
- The creation of a Ward Development Fund to ensure direct financial support at the grassroots level.
- An end to what they called resource starvation by the National Assembly.
- More autonomy from governors, allowing MCAs to legislate and oversee development projects independently.
One MCA warned that if President Ruto failed to attend the summit within three months, they would refuse to pass the 2025/2026 budget.
Growing Rift Between County and National Governments
The standoff at the summit highlights growing tensions between county governments and the national administration. MCAs have repeatedly complained about financial challenges and bureaucratic delays affecting service delivery.
In November 2024, some Nairobi MCAs accused Governor Johnson Sakaja of poor leadership. They claimed his administration had failed to improve infrastructure, housing, and healthcare.
Deputy Minority Leader Waithera Chege said there was no sign of progress on Sakaja’s promises, while Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai argued that Nairobi lacked proper governance structures, making service delivery ineffective.
Conclusion
The chaotic start to the County Assemblies Summit signals deeper frustrations within county governments. With MCAs threatening budget disruptions and demanding structural changes, the national government may need to act swiftly to address their concerns and restore order.
Chaos Erupts at County Assemblies Summit as MCAs Eject Sports CS Salim Mvurya Break into ‘Kasongo’ Song and Dance
