This archive report was first published on 26 December 2019.
Mike Sonko Remains Nairobi Governor ¶
Published on December 26, 2019
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been barred from accessing his office by a court ruling, but he remains the governor of Nairobi County.
The ruling was made by Chief Magistrate Hon. Douglas Ogoti, who cited High Court decisions in the cases of Moses Kasaine Lenolkulal vs. Republic and Ferdinand Ndungu Waititu Babayao vs. Republic.
According to the ruling, Governor Sonko is still entitled to his full pay and is not suspended from his office.
The Court of Appeal had previously upheld the High Court decisions, stating that limiting a governor's access to county offices while facing trial for corruption offences cannot be construed as a removal from office.
As noted by the Court of Appeal, Governor Sonko has not been ordered to vacate his office and may access it, but on conditions imposed by the court.
Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi tweeted that Governor Sonko is still the governor of Nairobi in form and substance, both de facto and de jure.
