Supreme Court set to hear Sonko’s impeachment review application

The Supreme Court has directed that the impeachment review application by the former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko will be mentioned on Tuesday, July 26.

This is after the respondents; the County Assembly of Nairobi, the Senate, and IEBC sought more time to file their responses and submissions on the matter.

The Deputy Registrar Bernard Kasavuli allowed their request and ordered them to file the same by 11:00 am Monday, July 25, 2022.

He has also ordered Sonko through his lawyers led by John khaminwa to file his submissions in the matter by close of business today.

On the issue of video clips filed in court by Sonko as evidence, the registrar will also give directions tomorrow morning.

The directions come after Sonko returned to the apex court asking the judges to set aside their own decision three days after the court dismissed the appeal against his impeachment.

In his application for review, Sonko wants Chief Justice Martha Koome to recuse herself from the matter on grounds that she had made remarks suggesting that those impeached should not be allowed to run.

He also wants the court to set aside its decision on grounds that Justice Said Chitembwe, who was part of the High Court bench that upheld his impeachment, is currently under investigation by a tribunal for misconduct.

Sonko says Chitembwe was biased and mischievous in the manner in which he handled his impeachment case.

Sonko appeal dismissed

The Supreme Court on July 15, 2022, dismissed Sonko's appeal thus dealing a big blow to his political career, an impeached person cannot be allowed to run for public office again.

It is on the backdrop of these fears that he is seeking a review.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has already revoked his clearance to run for the Mombasa governor seat.

At the same time, the former governor has filed an appeal at the East African Court of Justice to challenge the decision of the Supreme Court.

He says the decision of the Supreme Court and courts of Kenya was arrived at in an unjust manner.

Its effect, he says, is to curtail his political rights and the people he represents.

"The decision of the Kenyan judicial arm is tainted with illegality as the decision of the high court as upheld by the Supreme Court was influenced through corrupt means," he said.

He wants the EAC court to suspend the execution of the decision by the Supreme Court pending a hearing and determination of his appeal.