Why Governor Mike Sonko is Facing Impeachment

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko could be impeached if a motion by City MCAs over the Pumwani Hospital crisis is passed.

The suspension of four senior county officials over alleged insubordination after they issued a contrary statement from the governor's in the Pumwani Hospital saga could have been the last straw for Sonko.

Some Senators and members of the Nairobi County Assembly accused Sonko of staging theatrics to gain political mileage which they stated will not be taken lightly.

Nairobi County MCAs are expected to address the issue through a motion on Tuesday when the assembly sittings resume.

Since taking office in August Governor Sonko sacked and suspended his county executives and officials in what critics describe as unsettling of county operations.

In January, Sonko fired his personal assistant Bernard Mulwa, delivery unit deputy director Joseph Ireri and Michael Mutua barely three months after appointing them.

The three were accused of masquerading as county officers and soliciting bribes from contractors and suppliers in the name of facilitating their payments.

Sonko suspended Devolution Chief Executive Vesca Kangogo in March for travelling to the United States, contrary to executive orders banning county executive members against going on foreign trips.

In the same month, the governor fired Finance Executive Danvas Makori and suspended chief officer Ekaya Almasi over claims that he worked with former Governor Evans Kidero.

In April, Sonko sent 30 county procurement staff on forced leave over allegations of issuing inflated local purchase orders (LPOS), without his approval.

In July, the governor suspended Brian Mugo, who was his Chief of Staff and close friend, Acting Chief Officer of Finance Ekaya Alumasi and Acting Head of County Treasury Stephen Mutua over misuse of public funds.

Sonko suspended Health Executive Member Hitam Majevda and County Health Director Thomas Ogaro in August over what he termed as laxity, after visiting a Kangemi Health Centre which offered poor services and lacked drugs.

A month after he was elected in office, Sonko sent home the county secretary, all 10 executives and the 17 chief officers in former governor Kidero’s administration.

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