After a protracted effort to save his position the Governor of Nairobi county, Mr Mike Mbuvi Sonko was finally impeached. The axe fell on the embattled governor during the senate hearings on Thursday, Dec 17th 2020.
Of the 45 senators, 16 did all they could to save him in vain. The senators who fought for Sonko’s survival include
- Mary Kitany (Meru).
- Ltumbesi Lelegwe (Samburu)
- Christopher Lang’at (Bomet),
- Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka Nithi),
- Susan Kihika (Nakuru),
- John Munyes (Turkana),
- John Munyes (Turkana),
- Aaron Cheruiyot ( Kericho),
- Samson Cherargei (Nandi),
- Juma Wario (Tana River).
- Enoch Kiio (Kitui)
- Olekina Ledama (Narok),
- John Nderitu (Laikipia),
- Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo Marakwet),
- Philip Salau Mpaayei (Kajiado),
- Mohamed Maalim Mohamud (Mandera),
Twenty-seven senators voted against him as Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi) and Mutula Klonzo Jnr (Makueni) abstained.
Sakaja kept off in keeping with the senate orders that bar a senator from casting such a vote in his county.
During the exercise, it so appeared that the pro-handshake senators voted for the motion while those leaning towards the tangatanga outfit moved to overturn it.
The verdict was the culmination of two-day proceedings during which Mike Sonko was roasted on the grounds of;
- Gross misconduct
- Violation of the constitution
- Crimes under national law
- Abuse of office
Each senator voted on the individual or specific allegations raised against the governor.
The impeachment was gazetted shortly after the senators had cast their votes.
Accordingly, Nairobi County Speaker, Benson Mutura shall serve as the acting governor for sixty days pending a by-election.