Secretary of Innovation, Digital and Diaspora Communication in the Office of the President Dennis Itumbi has defended Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko after he appointed a new deputy.
In a tweet on Monday, Itumbi dismissed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Nordin Haji's claims that Sonko has no powers to appoint a deputy at the time he is facing graft charges.
He said that the governor was only barred from accessing office and not discharging his duties.
"As I said I completely agree with the verdict of the Court of Appeal on Governors as rendered in the @GovernorBabayao matter. It held that Waititu is the Governor ( and so is @MikeSonko) only barred from the physical office - NOT his role as Governor! Ruling NOT MEDIA HEADLINES," Itumbi said in a tweet.
DPP Haji had said that Sonko's nomination is null and void because he is facing corruption charges following his release on bail.
"Sonko cannot purport to have the powers to name a deputy while his case is still active. His action is null and void," cautioned Haji, according to Standard.
The governor while naming Ann Kananu Mwenda as his nominee for the vacant deputy governor post, on Monday, said that he will abide by the bail terms issued by the court after he was released.