Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was handed a huge boost on Monday, February 10, as his choice for deputy governor Anne Kananu Mwenda was cleared for vetting by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The electoral commission's decision came days after the Supreme Court declined to stop the vetting of Sonko's deputy nominee by the county assembly on February 7.
IEBC Nairobi County returning officer Joseph Eroo made the announcement from his office while issuing the nominee with a clearance certificate.
Kananu is now set to face a select committee after her name was forwarded for vetting.
Sonko handpicked Anne as his number two on January 6, pending the mandatory vetting process.
In a letter addressed to Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi, the Nairobi governor argued that there was a vacuum that needed to be filled to ensure continuity in his government.
"Given the foregoing, and in the interest of ensuring stability Nairobi and the largest County by economy and population, I do hereby nominate Anne Kananu Mwenda to the position of Deputy Governor,” read his letter in part.
He went on to explain that the move was in line with article 180(5) of the Constitution and the Supreme Court Advisory of March 2018.
Anne has been serving as Sonko’s chief officer for disaster management and coordination since May 2018. This followed her successful vetting by Nairobi County Assembly’s Committee on Culture and Community Services.
Before joining City Hall, the 39-year-old criminology graduate worked as a security supervisor in charge of quality control and training at the Kenya Airports Authority.
