Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has ‘enjoyed’ a run out on Kenyan mainstream media over the past couple of months, but for all the wrong reasons.
Since inheriting the county offices from Evans Kidero, it has always been an in and out affair as far as good leadership is concerned.
He has, on several occasions, tried to deflect the criticism thrown his way by blaming most of his misfortunes on co-members of the establishment whom he has accused of being responsible for pulling the strings behind the scenes to always make sure they get their way.
According to the Article 181 of the constitution of Kenya 2010, a governor can be removed from office on any of the following grounds;
1. Gross violation of the constitution or any other law.
2. Where there are serious reasons for believing that the county governor has committed a crime under national or international law.
3. Abuse of office or gross misconduct.
4. Physical or mental incapacity to perform the functions of office of county governor.
Well, in what ways has the governor violated the constitution to warrant removal from office?
Here are some of the occasions in which he has violated the constitution.
When goons alleged to have been hired by Sonko stormed a presser of former Nairobi Central District Business Association Chairman Timothy Muriuki on April 30, 2018, the governor should have been implicated for the abuse of office under Article 181 of the constitution of Kenya.
Besides that Sonko snubbed a series of summons by the Senate Accounts and Investments Committee before he was finally fined Sh500,000 on October 29, 2018 as per the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act 2017.
His reluctance to respond to questions raised by the Auditor General on the expenditure during the 2014/15 Financial Year also puts him under yet another violation of a key aspect of the constitution namely the Leadership and Integrity Act 2012 which requires transparency and honesty for all leaders.
If any, his speedy ban of Matatus entering the CBD in November is also a violation of Article 47 of the constitution of Kenya 2010.
There was a touch of the clandestine as far as the legislation in the run-up to the ban was concerned.
An incident that asserted Sonko’s defiant nature was witnessed during a tree planting ceremony at Moi Forces Academy in Nairobi when the governor openly confronted Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko for a protocol hitch.
He felt that it was not right for the CS to skip him during the speeches as he was the county boss and was supposed to be the one to speak before welcoming the deputy president.
While it is justifiable that he had to have his chance, the nature of his reaction, as in the demeaning of the CS, was not what anyone would expect from a governor.
Under the Leadership and Integrity Act 19 of 2012, Sonko violated the constitution that demands that all state officers respect the values, principles and requirements of the constitution.
But can he be removed from office?
According to Article 192 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the president has powers to suspend a County Government.
The county assembly can also use a popular vote to impeach the governor before another election to find a replacement is conducted.
#hivisasaoriginal