This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
December 13, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is facing a leadership crisis after being barred from his office at City Hall.
Despite the suspension, Sonko insists he is still in charge, citing the presence of other office holders, including the acting county secretary, CECs, and chief officers.
“Why are you guys writing about a crisis at City Hall? There is one thing you journalists do not understand; that this is pure politics. The magistrate only said he was pronouncing himself on the corruption issue and not on the governor stepping aside,” Sonko said through his director of communications Elkana Jacob.
According to Sonko's lawyer George Kithi, the governor can still exercise his duties, but cannot execute tasks that require him to be in his office, such as chairing meetings or signing bills, as the office is considered a crime scene.
Mr. Kithi noted that Sonko has to seek permission from the court to access his office and be accompanied by an investigating officer.
On December 6, Sonko was arrested and charged with several counts of corruption, before being released on a Sh15 million cash bail.
