Nairobi speaker Beatrice Elachi has made a bold move of going for Governor Mike Sonko’s seat via court. She has requested that she be allowed to assume gubernatorial duties as a result of constitutional crisis at City Hall following Sonko’s absence.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was barred from accessing his office by Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti despite lacking a deputy governor.
The governor has been charged with money laundering and unlawful acquisition of public property at City Hall amounting to Sh 357 million.
He is also accused of irregularly awarding tenders to his close aides, forging documents and misappropriating county funds. The county boss however denied all the charges.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday following Sonko’s application to be allowed to fly to Dubai on official duty, Milimani Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti stated that granting the request will set a bad precedence, considering that he is the one who ordered the governor to deposit the passport in the court.
NAIROBI SPEAKER Elachi asks court to allow her assume gubernatorial roles, says Sonko absence has created constitutional crisis at City Hall. pic.twitter.com/fEHSJFW8yk
— NationBreakingNews (@NationBreaking) February 6, 2020
Initially Sonko was linked to Elachi’s ouster from office, an impeachment that was spearheaded by ousted Majority Leader Abdi Guyo. However Elachi, after recapturing her office, heaped praises on the governor, terming him the best serving governor so far.
The fact that Sonko lacks a deputy makes Elachi the second in command, and taking over would make it easier to achieve her 2022 ambitions.
Orange Democratic Movement MCA’s threatened to impeach the governor as the first order of business when the assembly resumes sittings on Tuesday, February, 11.
Will President Kenyatta suspend the county government, or will the ward reps take the bold step to impeach the governor and pave the way for Speaker Beatrice Elachi to act in the position?.