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Sonko stirs fresh controversy as he nominates DG

Tuesday, January 7th, 2020 11:00 | By
Governor Anne Kananu Mwenda.

Anthony Mwangi and George Kebaso

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko yesterday nominated Anne Kananu Mwenda to the position Deputy Governor.

But the move kicked off a debate over whether he has the powers to execute the move following a High Court ruling barring him from accessing his office with Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji vowing to challenge it in court.

In a letter to Speaker Beatrice Elachi, Sonko said he took the action in line with the advisory of the Supreme Court regarding the nomination of a deputy governor.

Complex situation

“The complexity of the situation in Nairobi became intricate following my arraignment in court, and the subsequent bail terms that among other things, require me as governor, to stay out of office until the determination of the matter and the interest of ensuring stability at the county I do make the nomination,” Sonko wrote.

Kananu is a former chief officer in the Sonko administration in charge of Disaster Management and one of the powerful figures at City Hall. 

Haji however, termed Sonko’s decision a violation of his bail terms.He said the move as null and void.

“It is unacceptable. We are going to court on Wednesday or Thursday. We will seek court orders to review his bail terms. He cannot purport to make the nomination until his case his heard and determined as per the High Court ruling,” said the DPP.

But Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, who was among the governor’s lawyers, defended the move saying it was not in violation of the bail terms.

And even as Sonko made the drastic action, his fate could be determined today as the County Assembly meets this morning for the Speaker’s Kamukunji to discuss the leadership crisis facing the city.

It emerged yesterday that most of city employees and Members of County Assembly are not keen on the embattled governor’s return to office after he was barred by court following his arraignment on corruption charges.

“More than 90 per cent of people working at City Hall don’t want Sonko back in the office,” claimed an MCA who sought anonymity.

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