The Senate select Committee on Devolution has come out strongly in support of Governor Sonko’s nominee for Deputy Governor.
While addressing a Press conference at Parliament Buildings, the Senators said Sonko was simply barred from accessing his physical office since its treated as a “scene of crime”.
However, the Senators insisted that Sonko hasn’t seized being the Governor of Nairobi.
They said that Justice Mumbi Ngugi’s ruling did not invalidate his election since there are constitutional requirements of removal of a Governor from office.
Embu Senator Njeru Ntwiga said Sonko is still the Governor of Nairobi and has powers to nominate a Deputy.
“The Governor of Nairobi is Mike Mbuvi Sonko. We instructed him to appoint a Deputy Governor and he did as we told him. He is the substantive Governor because he is getting his full pay,” Ntwiga said.
He also asked MCAs to approve the appointment of the Deputy Governor.
On January 6th, Sonko nominated Anne Kananu Mwenda as his Deputy Governor.
Director of Public Prosecutions Nordin Hajii has opposed Sonko’s move terming it a “breach of his bail terms,”.
However, the Council of Governors ha opposed Hajii’s statement and said that they are also in support of Sonko’s move.
In a statement on January 8th, Oparanya said the nomination is in line with article 180 (5) which provides that a County Governor shall nominate a person who is qualified for nomination for election as County Governor or Deputy Governor.
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