This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's arrest on December 6, 2019, has left a power vacuum in the county, with Speaker Beatrice Elachi poised to take over as Acting Governor if he is formally charged and barred from office.
According to the Constitution, if the Governor's seat remains vacant and the Deputy Governor is unable to assume the role, the Speaker of the County Assembly will act as the Governor for a period of 60 days.
After this period, a by-election will be held to elect a new Governor, as per the Constitution.
"If the seat of the Governor remains vacant and the Deputy Governor is unable to assume the role, the Speaker of the County Assembly will act as the Governor," the Constitution states.
It is worth noting that Sonko has been accused of corruption and misappropriation of funds, with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) stating that he was attempting to evade arrest.
Meanwhile, in Kiambu County, Governor Ferdinand Waititu was barred from office and replaced by Deputy Governor James Nyoro.
