This archive report was first published on 23 April 2020.
On April 22, 2020, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko made a shocking announcement, revealing plans to revoke an agreement transferring key functions to the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS). The move has left many questioning the motives behind Sonko's sudden change of heart.
According to Sonko, he was not aware of the contents of the agreement he signed on March 23, 2020, which transferred four key functions to the NMS. In a Facebook post, Sonko claimed that he was not allowed to read the document and was only told it was a good thing for service delivery in Nairobi.
However, Sonko's claims have been met with skepticism, with many pointing to a secret meeting he had with Deputy President William Ruto on the night of April 21, 2020. The meeting, which lasted over four hours, took place at Ruto's Karen office, with Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi chauffeuring Sonko from his Upper Hill office.
Sonko has confirmed that the meeting took place and that they discussed matters of county importance. Ruto and Sonko are believed to be close friends, with Ruto publicly supporting Sonko in the aftermath of his dramatic arrest over corruption allegations in December 2019.
It remains to be seen how President Uhuru Kenyatta will respond to Sonko's provocation, particularly given that he saved Sonko from impeachment. One thing is certain, however: the politics of Nairobi have just taken a dramatic turn.
