Nairobi County Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has named three judges that he wants to be removed from an appeal case he filed against a ruling by Magistrate Douglas Ogoti that barred him from accessing office.
According to Sonko, Justice Mumbi Ngugi, Grace Ngenye and John Onyiego should not take part in his appeal case on the grounds of alleged bias.
Governor Sonko cited reasons for each judge as to why he wants him/her off the case.
To begin with judge John Onyiego, Sonko claimed that the judge who also doubles up as the head of the appellate court would be tempted to favour an initial ruling by the court.
For Grace Ngenye, Sonko claimed that she was involved in a similar case where she barred Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu from accessing office.
Justice Mumbi on the other hand besides locking Samburu County Governor Moses Lenolkulal out of office was also responsible for the ruling that sought to bar county bosses involved in graft cases out of office.
Reports indicate that judge Mumbi had ruled that elected executives should report to their offices when they are facing corruption-related charges.
“What message does it send to the citizens if their leaders are charged with serious corruption offences and are in office the following day, overseeing the affairs of the institution?” she asked during her ruling.