Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has nominated one Anne Kananu Mwenda to be Nairobi’s Deputy Governor, despite a court order barring him from conducting official county business.
The appointment was contained in a signed letter that was sent to County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi.
Since January 2018, Nairobi has been without a Deputy Governor, after corporate giant Polycarp Igathe resigned citing frustrations from his boss.
The leadership stalemate that took a new turn in December 2019, saw Mike Sonko arrested and charged with corruption, and ordered to stay away from the office until his case is heard and determined.
“Given the foregoing, and in the interest of ensuring stability at Kenya’s capital city, and the largest county by economy and population, I do hereby nominate Anne Kananu Mwenda to the position of Deputy Governor,” Sonko said in the letter dated January 6, 2020.
“I will continue to abide by the bail terms granted to me, and ensure that the operations of the county are not affected in any way, to guarantee the great people of Nairobi uninterrupted services,” concluded Sonko.
Sonko, who is facing corruption charges totaling to Sh357 million, is out on bond after posting Sh15 million cash bail.
He was charged alongside Nairobi County officials and suppliers who benefited from the scam that pointed millions of shillings towards the Governor’s personal bank accounts, according to court documents.
Nominating his deputy Sonko is set to ignite fresh legal tussles, because of the order barring him from conducting official business, in line with a Court of Appeal ruling that upheld a High Court order barring any governor facing graft charges from office.
