Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Monday, January 6, nominated Ann Kananu Mwenda as his deputy.
The Director Communications in the Nairobi Governor Press Service Jacob Elkana confirmed the nomination to Kenyans.co.ke.
Sonko made the nomination despite a court order barring him from conducting official county business while under trial for corruption-related charges.
Mwenda serves as the Chief Officer in the Disaster Management and Coordination’s Sector at City Hall - a position she has held since April 2018.
In a letter to Nairobi Speaker Beatrice Elachi, Sonko justified his decision as being in line with Article 180(5) of the Constitution of Kenya, and the Supreme Court Advisory of March 2018.
"I therefore humbly urge the Assembly to expedite the vetting process of the said nominee, for purposes of appointment, as per the provisions of the County Government Act, Section 8 (1) (a)," he stated.
Sonko assured that he would continue to abide by the bail terms granted to him and ensure that the operations of the county were not affected.
"I wish to call upon the Honourable Members of the County Assembly and all members of staff of the Nairobi City County Government to continue doing their part in serving our residents," the county head concluded.
Her nomination comes two years after Polycarp Igathe resigned in 2018.
