Members of the Nairobi County Assembly, on Tuesday, September 10, broke their silence regarding a Ksh357 million scandal that hangs over Governor Mike Sonko's head.
In a statement quoted by The Star, the lawmakers, led by their Majority Leader Abdi Hassan Guyo, noted that in case the governor is forced out of office over the scandal, embattled speaker Beatrice Elachi would not take over the reins.
As it stands, Nairobi assembly's speaker, who happens to be Elachi thanks to a court ruling, is the second in command following Sonko's delay in announcing his deputy.
The legislators, however, ruled out Elachi's reign on grounds that they impeached her first and as such, they are highly likely to look for some other leader.
"Elachi was impeached by the assembly of Nairobi and she is no longer our speaker and therefore she cannot take over. I don’t know what narrative is being interpreted outside and which Constitution is being used..
"The Kenya constitution is very clear under Article 182 on when the Office of the Governor is vacant and so far none of the reasons has been met," asserted Guyo.
He further took the opportunity to address rising rumours that the county was plunging into a crisis following Sonko's implication explaining that he was still firmly in control.
"Governor Sonko is in office and everything is in order. He has not been charged nor should people pre-empt that he will be charged as it has been reported in the media,” he added.
The governor was implicated in the scandal after some unexplained Ksh20 million suspected to be kickbacks from garbage tender awards were found in his personal accounts.
In his defence, the flamboyant governor explained that some of the money was a payment since piping for a project by the Ministry of Water for the rehabilitation of Kwale Water Supply and Operation Improvement Works, passed through his land.
He added that the money was meant for the purchase of the land.
