High-ranking government officials convened at State House to coordinate the arrest of Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, a move that has intensified political tensions over the city's governance. The meeting included Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, State House Comptroller Kinuthia Mbugua, and other senior figures, according to sources. The discussions aimed to secure President Uhuru Kenyatta's approval for the operation, which was deemed critical given Sonko's prominence as a regional economic leader.
The plan involved deploying anti-riot units and plainclothes officers to monitor Sonko's network, including members of the Wanjiku movement, a faction he formed to counter internal party rivals. Security teams also prepared for potential protests, with Nairobi Police Operations head overseeing the arrest. Sonko was ultimately detained in Voi after a 13-minute scuffle, though conflicting accounts suggest he may have been tipped off by an insider.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, cited sufficient evidence to prosecute Sonko and senior City Hall officials following an EACC investigation. Legal actions include freezing the governor's assets and seeking to bar him from accessing his office, a precedent set in cases involving Kiambu and Samburu governors. Sonko's arrest has sparked debates over the role of Nairobi's governance, with some advocating for its dissolution to be managed directly by the national government.
Constitutional provisions allow for the suspension of a county government under specific conditions, including emergencies or exceptional circumstances. A Nairobi Regeneration Committee, formed in 2017, is reportedly considering recommendations to dissolve the county government, citing internal conflicts and service delivery failures. The proposal mirrors past attempts to reclassify Nairobi as a metropolitan area under national control, a move critics argue risks depoliticizing the city's governance.
With Sonko detained and his deputy position vacant, Nairobi County Speaker Beatrice Elachi will assume gubernatorial duties until a resolution is reached. The situation remains fluid as legal and political battles unfold over the future of Nairobi's leadership.
