Nairobi governor Mike Sonko can no longer appoint a deputy, after almost two years of singlehandedly running the show at the City Hall, constitutional expert Bobby Mkangi says.
Sonko has been alone at the helm of the county leadership since the resignation of Polycarp Igathe last year, after which he has not picked Igathe's successor.
Mkangi says that the court's Wednesday ruling that Sonko is to stay off his office until his graft cases are heard and determined means that he cannot make any changes.
He says that the order completely bars the embattled county boss from discharging any gubernatorial duties.
“If he could have picked a deputy before the pronouncement of the court that would have had some weight. With the order barring him from accessing office, he has been suspended from discharging duties of the governor,” he is quoted.
At the same time, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has hinted at blocking the governor, whose impeachment is looming, from making any changes.
He, just like Mkangi, says that Sonko is no longer in charge of the county leadership. On this grounds, the County Assembly has moved in to impeach him.
"We will not pamper the governor like a baby and let Nairobi sink just to make him happy. If impeaching him will pave way for stability in Nairobi let it be so,” said Majority Chief Whip Peter Imwatok on Wednesday.
If his ouster is unsuccessful, Sonko might be forced to resign or President Uhuru Kenyatta might dissolve the house, failure to which the leadership vacuum in the county will remain.