This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja has written to the Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka requesting an emergency sitting to discuss the crisis in Nairobi County. The request comes after the Anti-Corruption Court released Governor Mike Sonko on Sh15 million cash bail or an alternative of Sh30 million bond with a surety of a similar amount.
According to Sakaja, the situation calls for an urgent response as the county is at the brink of a serious constitutional crisis. He cited Article 96 of the Constitution of Kenya, which mandates the Senate to protect the interest of the counties.
Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti had given conditions under which the governor can be allowed to visit his office, including being escorted by an investigating officer or any other authorized officer. Sakaja argued that the county stares at a serious crisis and that the Senate should intervene to protect the interests of Nairobi County.
Speaker Kenneth Lusaka confirmed receiving the request and stated that his office is considering it. He promised to give an official response in due time.
It is worth noting that Governor Sonko is facing a total of 19 charges in two separate files, with the prosecution claiming that he conspired with rogue business people and senior county government officials to embezzle more than Sh380 million from the county coffers.
On December 6, 2019, Sonko was arrested after a green light from the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji. The case will be mentioned on January 15, 2020.
