Nairobi Gubernatorial By-Election Suspended Again

Anne Kananu and former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko during a past event
Anne Kananu and former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko during a past event
File

The High Court has for a second time suspended the Nairobi Gubernatorial by-elections. 

Judge Anthony Mrima in his ruling suspended the mini poll after Deputy Governor nominee Anne Kananu filed a petition in court.

The ruling was issued on Thursday afternoon, January 14.

IEBC Nairobi County returning officer Joseph Eroo hands clearance certificate to Nairobi County Deputy Governor nominee Anne Kananu Mwenda for appointment.
IEBC Nairobi County returning officer Joseph Eroo hands clearance certificate to Nairobi County Deputy Governor nominee Anne Kananu Mwenda for appointment.
File

Previous orders had been issued on Monday, January 4 after a petition was filed by impeached Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.

The High Court had suspended a gazette notice by Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) which had set Thursday, February 18 as the day to elect a new city governor.

“The special gazette notice no 10914 dated December 21, 2020, issued by IEBC is hereby suspended until the hearing and determination of the amended notice of motion is heard and determined,” the judge ordered.

The judge also ruled that the acting Nairobi Governor Benson Mutura, IEBC, Nairobi County Assembly, Senate and Attorney General Paul Kariuki to respond to Sonko's petition.

Sonko had moved to court in December 2020, to challenge the decision by the Senate to uphold his impeachment by the Nairobi County Assembly.

The former governor also sought the court to freeze the swearing-in exercise of the County Assembly speaker.

His lawyers cited that the Senate was biased in their motion.

The suit further claimed that the Senate violated the doctrine of legitimate expectation by ignoring pleadings and submissions from his team.

The former governor was ousted as Nairobi Governor on Thursday, December 17 after 27 out of 45 Senators voted to uphold the impeachment motion.

He was accused of gross misconduct, violation of the constitution, crimes under national law, and abuse of office. 

Following his impeachment, Mutura was sworn in as interim Nairobi governor on December 21, 2020.

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko.

 

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