President Uhuru Kenyatta reportedly triggered the impeachment of Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko through a phone call to Jubilee leadership, who he directed to coordinate with ODM leader Raila Odinga.
Inside sources detailed that Kenyatta was angered by Sonko's constant attacks and lack of cooperation with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS).
"The process began on Sunday evening, November 22, following a call from State House on the previous day.
"The reason we were given to initiate the motion was Sonko's refusal to work with NMS boss Mohammed Badi and his constant abuse of the president," a Jubilee MCA disclosed while speaking to a local daily.
The NMS boss, tasked with reviving Nairobi County, has constantly been denied access to funds by the Governor. Sonko's decision to decline to sign the Ksh 37 billion budget which was to hand over Ksh 27.1 billion to NMS sealed his fate.
In the meeting, Odinga allegedly discussed how to marshall support for Sonko's ouster.
Kenyatta had previously attempted reuniting Sonko and Badi, with the two city bosses committing to work together to upgrade Nairobi County. The Head of State also warned that he would only work with leaders who wanted to move forward.
However, Sonko kept on fighting the NMS boss accusing him of sabotaging his leadership. Badi vowed to work on his own, disclosing that he sought funds from government ministries and loans from banks.
"I have no interest in politics. In fact, Sonko should take advantage of what I’m doing by taking credit for it. I will go back to the military base after I serve Kenyans.
"In fact, I have only two years to manage NMS and I will ensure that I achieve my goals. In the military, there is no word such as 'don't'," Badi stated in an interview with Citizen TV's Jeff Koinange on Wednesday, October 28.
MCAs formally kickstarted the process of ejecting Sonko on Thursday, November 26. The motion was moved by Embakasi Ward MCA Michael Ogada who stated that 86 ward representatives had appended their signatures in support of it.
Sonko was accused of graft and violating the constitution. If the motion goes through, the County Assembly Speaker informs the Speaker of the Senate within two days. The Senate will then decide whether to form a commission to deliberate on the accusations presented by the MCAs.
The governor can also file a case at the High Court to argue his case. In the event he is impeached, there will be a leadership vacuum in Nairobi County as Sonko declined to appoint a Deputy Governor following the resignation of Polycarp Igathe.
