The IEBC has put on hold Nairobi gubernatorial race by election preparation that was set on the 18th of February after the high court suspended it pending Mike Sonko grievances on his ouster as governor.
Sonko was impeached on the 17th December on a 27, 16 vote count. This was due to the charges of gross violation of the constitution and other laws, abuse of office, gross misconduct and crimes under national law.
Sources though indicate that Mikes broken relations with the national government where he accused President Uhuru Kenyatta and other state officials of highjacking his leadership saying that he was unsuitable to govern, his refusal to sign budget documents established by the president to oversee four critical functions and battles with Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) headed by major General Badi were fuel to his ouster.
His leadership comprised of theatrics and drama for a man of his statue. He was stripped of his official vehicles and his security personnel recalled including his security detail and county askaris that were guiding his Nairobi and Mombasa homes who were also withdrawn.
In his paper submissions, he surely hopes that the high court will find it reasonable for his ouster saying that his impeachment was illegal.
Since the county had no deputy governor who would have assumed office following Sonko’s impeachment, county assembly speaker Benson Mutura appears to be a viable choice as acting governor until the court rules otherwise.
According to the constitution, article 182 clause 4 and 5, it allows the speaker of the county to act as governor and a by-election shall be held within sixty days after the speaker has assumed the office of the county governor.
Now its time to see how things will take a turn while waiting on the court rulings as his political future is still unknown and whether or not he will be back in the political scene.
