Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has shed light on his reasons for failing to appear before the Senate Energy Committee.

The Governor sought to justify his reasons arguing that the Senate recognizes various reasons by those summoned to reschedule their appearance and travel was one of the reasons.

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 appearing before the Senate is a constitutional requirement which he take seriously noting that he has appeared before the Senate several times and is willing to answer all the questions addressed concerning the Embakasi gas explosion and any other including the financial years 2020 to 2022 audits.

“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. I have appeared severally and will continue to do so. I have no reasons not to answer to respond to any questions raised on Mradi or FY 20-22 audits. 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,” Sakaja said.

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.