Give Nairobians a deputy governor now, Kalonzo pleads with Sonko
Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has waded into Nairobi politics by asking Governor Mike Sonko to nominate a new deputy governor.
The Wiper Party leader appealed to the governor to consult swiftly and arrive at a name that he will present to replace Polycarp Igathe who resigned eight months ago in January.
“Give them a deputy governor. Send one quickly. I do not know what it means to consult some of your party leaders or even intelligence to avoid the same fate that befell your other nominee Miguna Miguna,” said Mr Musyoka.
He was speaking during the third anniversary of the death of Mr Sonko’s father Mzee Gideon Mbuvi Kioko in Machakos County on Saturday.
Pressure has been mounting on the City Hall boss to nominate a new deputy governor with the county having been operating without a substantive deputy to Mr Sonko for over seven months now.
On Thursday, Nairobi MCAs also called for the governor to move with speed and forward a name of the nominee for the position to the Assembly for subsequent approval by the Assembly within two weeks or face a censure motion.
They expressed concern that since the March 9 Supreme Court Advisory on the nomination of a deputy governor for subsequent approval by the Assembly, the City Hall boss is yet to do so.
VACANT OFFICE
“The governor must appoint his deputy as quickly as possible. What we want is a deputy governor so that when he is not there the deputy can run the show,” Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Abdi Guyo said.
Minority leader Elias Otieno also implored Mr Sonko to put a proper structure in place before the expiry of the 14 days and also make sure that he has a deputy governor.
“I think we just rest this Motion for now, we just leave it the way it is right now because we must have the Deputy Governor in place before the 14 days elapse, failure to which; wembe ni ule ule,” said Mr Otieno.
Meanwhile, Governor Sonko has said he is determined to fill the vacant post, but in accordance to the law.
“I will now move to the Supreme Court for advisory on the next step even as I continue to consult my Jubilee Party leaders on shortlisted candidates for the post,” said Sonko.
Last month, Governor Sonko shortlisted four individuals, including former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru, corporate guru Agnes Kagure, lawyers Karen Nyamu and Jane Weru for the vacant office.