The Mombasa county assembly has resumed business after a short recess with the swearing in of ODM Nyali branch treasurer Solomon Ngugi Wainaina as nominated member of county assembly [MCA] replacing the late Mohamed Hatimy.

Hatimy succumbed to to Covid-19 on November last year (2020).

Ngugi was escorted to the county assembly by County assembly chief whip Junior Wambua, who is Chaani MCA, and nominated MCA Moses Aran Onido.

Mombasa county assembly speaker Aharub Khatri presided over the swearing in of Ngugi which was witnessed by Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki, ODM Mombasa county branch secretary Geoffrey Busaka and acting Mombasa county secretary Joab Tumbo.

The county assembly clerk Salim Juma presented him with books and documents pertaining to the county assembly guidelines.

Mombasa County Assembly Majority leader Hamisi Mwidani, who doubles up as Mombasa county assembly Finance, Budget and Appropriations chairman, led the county assembly to overwhelmingly congratulate Ngugi on being nominated as MCA.

He said Ngugi is a product of the local party branch and is a good example of earning a reward for being loyal to the party.

The entire fifth session of the ninth sitting was reserved for Ngugi’s congratulatory messages.

In his maiden speech, the nominated MCA thanked ODM party leader Raila Odinga and deputy party leader Hassan Ali Joho who is Mombasa governor on behalf of his family and the entire ODM Nyali constituency for the nomination to fill the slot left vacant following the death Hatimy.

Ngugi also thanked the ODM Mombasa county branch for supporting his nomination.

“I wish to assure you of my total support to ODM and I promise to serve the party with dedication into the next year’s general election,” he said.

In his remarks, the county assembly speaker said the day’s business of the county assembly was to administer the oath of office to newly nominated ODM MCA.

Aharub pointed out Ngugi’s nomination has been gazetted through the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission [IEBC].

He said the county assembly was abiding by the IEBC directive.

“We had to abide by the IEBC directive and we had to call him and swear him in today as directed,” he pointed out.

Before the county assembly adjourned, the speaker led the house in a one minute silence in respect of the late Hatimy.