As he battles corruption case in court, the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji on one side over his recent move to nominate his deputy, Members of the Nairobi County Assembly on the other end, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's time in politics could have come to an end.
Even for the proverbial cat with nine lives, Sonko could now be in his ninth life.
With the high-profile graft case hanging on his head, the embattled Governor may never have imagined that he would find himself in such an awkward political position when he was overwhelmingly elected in 2017. After all, he had had a scandal-free political career since plunging into politics 7 years earlier.
Further to that, he was in good political books with nearly all heavyweights in the game. His close relationship with President Uhuru Kenyatta was never in doubt. His supporters loved him. Those were his glory days.
After his 2017 win, Sonko had been backed to "save Nairobi". Many saw him as the "Black Messiah". At least going by his previous record as Senator and Makadara MP, he was equal to the task. But two years later, all the optimism that surrounded his election evaporated. His pre-election allies criticized his development record with Senator Johnson Sakaja emerging as his fiercest critic.
Soon, he was arrested before being arraigned in court and charged with graft. He was later barred from office.
With MCAs now finalizing his impeachment process with the blessings of his own party, Sonko's 10 years at the centre of Nairobi politics could have come to an end.
For now, he seems to be alone. As to whether he will outsmart those plotting for his downfall and get political lifeline remains to be seen.
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