Reprieve For Sonko in Mombasa Gubernatorial Race After Court Ruling

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko during a campaign trail in Mombasa
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko during a campaign trail in Mombasa
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Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko can breathe a sigh of relief after the High Court declined a request by two voters to bar the electoral agency from receiving and processing his nomination papers.

In the ruling, the Court directed that the matter be enjoined with two other cases filed seeking to block Sonko from vying for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat.

The two voters had moved to court seeking interim orders barring the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from processing Sonko's nomination papers.

However, Justice Anthony Mrima declined their request noting that there are two cases filed in Mombasa and Eldoret pending and waiting for the Chief Justice Martha Koome to form a bench.  

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko joins the Azimio coalition and he is received by Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka as a WDM-K life member on Friday, March 25, 2022.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko joins the Azimio coalition and he is received by Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka as a WDM-K life member on Friday, March 25, 2022.
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Kalonzo Musyoka

"I have considered this matter carefully. The court is aware of like matters filed in the High Court in Mombasa and in Eldoret. There is also an expanded Bench to be empanelled by the Chief Justice. As a result, it is only prudent that this matter be forwarded to the Chief Justice for purposes of empanelment so as to have prudent use of the limited judicial time,” Mrima directed.

The Judge further directed the court to a submit petition to CJ Koome to be included in the case that will be decided by the panel.

In their petition, the voters argued that the former governor is unfit to hold any elective post after he was impeached by Members of the Nairobi County Assembly and his removal from office upheld by the Senate.

According to their petition, the former Makadara lawmaker who also served as Nairobi's pioneer Senator failed to uphold principles of good governance, integrity, transparency and even accountability which informed the decision for his impeachment.

Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper party already expressed its readiness to replace Sonko in the Mombasa gubernatorial contest.

Sonko has been battling a number of onslaughts aimed at blocking his political comeback including from the Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji and CJ Koome. Even human right groups have lodged their concerns over his candidature.

Responding to all allegations leveled against him, Sonko maintained that he is innocent until proven guilty by the court of law.

If cleared, Sonko will face off with ODM's Mvita MP Abdulswamad Nassir and Kenya Kwanza's, Omar Hassan.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Mombasa gubernatorial aspirant, Mike Sonko, at a press conference in the county on Friday, May 6, 2022
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Nairobi governor, Mike Sonko, at a press conference in Mombasa on Friday, May 6, 2022.
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Kalonzo Musyoka