Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, on Sunday, September 8, came clean about why he failed to name his deputy on Friday despite an earlier promise to the people of Nairobi.
On Thursday, September 5, the flamboyant governor revealed that he would be announcing his new deputy governor by the end of the week but he never fulfilled the promise.
Speaking exclusively to Kenyans.co.ke, Sonko, through his communications director, Jacob Elkana, argued that Nairobi County was a large entity and that he was not done consulting the parties involved.
Getting specific, he added that, since the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Premier Raila Odinga occurred, he had to consult political parties from both pacts.
"You know Nairobi is a big county and it is not about Sonko alone. So he has to factor in all aspects including political and others.
"He was engaging other parties that include the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) sector and Jubilee Party so that he can get vindicated from doing things on his own but through collaboration," explained Elkana.
The communications head, however, asked the county's residents not to despair since the exercise would be completed soon and a deputy governor unveiled.
"The process is on and he will soon do so... He is going to name the deputy after an agreement with the parties' leadership has been reached now that we have the handshake in place," he added.
Nairobi County has been running without a deputy since Polycarp Igathe resigned in January on grounds that he could not earn Sonko's trust.
Ever since his resignation, the governor has, in the past interviews, disclosed that his choice would be a woman.
