This archive report was first published on 15 December 2019.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is facing a fresh court date on Wednesday to answer assault charges related to his arrest. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has cleared his prosecution, and he is also facing a Sh357 million graft charge.
As Sonko fights his corruption and assault charges in court, the Jubilee Party is considering options to replace him. According to sources, the party is exploring a possible impeachment and bid to have Polycarp Igathe, Sonko's 2017 elected deputy governor and running mate, back at City Hall.
Others being considered for the job are former aspirant Peter Kenneth and former MP Dennis Waweru. However, some Jubilee insiders are unsure of Igathe, arguing that he cannot handle City Hall chaos and may take off at the slightest frustration.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is reported to be opposed to a by-election, and the party is weighing its options. Operations at the county have stalled, and the National Treasury has withheld funds due to the county's Sh19 billion Pending Bills.
Former Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe intimated that it's not an impossibility to consider Igathe despite his resignation last year over lack of trust by his boss. Murathe stated, 'It is not impossible. Even in West Pokot, Deputy Governor Nicholas Atudonyang, a US-based Neurosurgeon, has been working from America without a salary.'
Immediate former county Assembly Majority Leader Abdi Guyo said Igathe can steer the county government forward, 'We have worked with him. We believe he is able to run the county's affairs.'
Lawyer Steve Ogolla suggested that the President's ruling party can advise the governor to resign to pave way for fresh polls or push to have him impeached.
