Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has come out to refute claims by letter going rounds on social media that he was resigning terming the letter as ‘Fake News’. In his Facebook page, Sonko said the latter addressed to the speaker of county Assembly was sent by his political rivals.
“This is to state categorically that the said letter is a forgery and has not emanated from me and is a pack of lies and conjecture and clearly orchestrated by a coalition of cartels including politicians,” Sonko said.Sonko said he was loyal to his supporters clarifying that he was not ready to quit his job. The governor added that he cannot resign without consulting his political party. “I urge my political nemesis to stop using this archaic tricks and await the coming elections which I will floor them all,” the governor added. The Governor also urged his opponents to engage in ‘mature politics’ and stop tarnishing his name.
A letter from the office of Nairobi County Governor addressing the County Assembly Speaker stated that Sonko was resigning from his position due to his health status among other reasons. The letter also stated Sonko’s hindrances by the National Government by discouraging all his efforts to transform the Nairobi city.
Refusal to pay the county debts of over Sh80 billions, Refusal by Controller of Budget to approve Sh5 billion in the 2017/2018 Financial year Refusal by the Inspector General to provide me with even one police body guard, Forced appointments of public officers in the county key amongst them the Office of the Deputy Governor Threat to his life and family members; among others.
Sonko’s administration has been hit by setbacks and especially after the resignation of his former Deputy Polycarp Igathe early this year.
Igathe announced his resignation on his Twitter account; “Dear Nairobians, it is with a heavy heart that I resign my seat as elected Deputy Governor of Nairobi City County effective 1pm on 31st Jan 2018. I regret I have failed to earn the trust of the Governor to enable me to drive Admin & Management of the county.”
Surprisingly, he resigned hours after a television interview where he appeared to defend their performance Igathe joined politics from the private sector, having resigned as a CEO at Vivo Energy, with the intent to restore East Africa’s largest city to its position as an Economic Powerhouse.
Dear Nairobians, it is with a heavy heart that I resign my seat as elected Deputy Governor of Nairobi City County effective 1pm on 31st Jan 2018. I regret I have failed to earn the trust of the Governor to enable me to drive Admin & Management of the county. pic.twitter.com/dszOQMBatT
— Polycarp Igathe (@IgathePolycarp) January 12, 2018
Igathe was recently appointed as Group Chief Executive officer of Equity Bank. But things have not gone very well for his former boss. Sonko nominated controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna to replace Igathe but the move was thwarted by Nairobi County Assembly.
The Nairobi governor has been accused of not delivering on any of his campaign pledges. Nairobians are still toiling with the water problem and estate roads have not been improved as he had promised.