Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko has come out to disown a letter doing round online that he had nominated Kenya’s representative in the East Africa Legislative Assembly Hon Simon Mbugua as his deputy.
Through his Facebook account, the embattled governor labelled the letter as Fake, bringing to an end speculations that Mbugua was going to replace the flamboyant governor as the county boss.
In the letter, Sonko was alleged to have nominated Mbugua to run the county after Director of Public Prosecution, DPP pressed several charges against him together with other officials from Nairobi City County relating to alleged financial crimes.
“To ensure that Nairobi residents are not denied service and sound leadership, I hereby nominate Hon Simon Mbugua as the deputy governor of Nairobi. My nominee hs already demonstrated his willingness and readiness to serve Nairobi by relinquishing his EALA MP seat,” read part of the letter.
The letter went ahead to claim that Sonko had directed that his name be forwarded to the county assembly for expeditious vetting and approval.
It also claimed that Sonko had stepped aside from office as he had earlier promised.
“further, to safeguard the integrity of the investigation and after deep soul searching and consultations, I have decided to step aside from office, as I had earlier promised when charged…” continued the letter.
On his part, Mbugua also denied the letter saying he had never been interested in becoming a deputy governor.
Sonko, together with other accomplices, were on Monday arraigned before Milimani law courts where they all denied multiple charges of corruption.
His bail application, which the prosecution opposed, will be heard at 2.30 pm on the same day.
Earlier on, Sonko had called on his loyal supporters and well-wishers to remain calm and stay at home or go to their usual places of work as his case proceeds.
“I am a law-abiding citizen, and therefore ask my supporters to stay away from the courts or any other activities that may threaten the peace. I urge all my supporters to allow the law enforcement agencies to do their work, and let the law take its course. The peace and stability of Nairobi is more important than anything else,” posted Sonko on Monday mid-morning shortly after the adjournment of his case.
With no deputy, Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi is likely to take over as Governor at City Hall following the expected arrest of Mike Sonko.
Sonko has so far failed to appoint another deputy governor since Polycarp Igathe resigned on January 12, 2018.