Nairobi governor Mike Sonko and Evans Kidero. Sonko has said his predecessor is to blame for the huge debt in Nairobi. [Photo/TheBigissue]
Nairobi governor Mike Sonko is not perturbed by the resignation of his deputy Polycarp Igathe, and continues to work and deliver on his mandate.
Sonko on Monday moved to court to stop all payments to its creditors amounting to about Sh60 billion.
Sonko further blamed his predecessor Evans Kidero for the accrued debts which have in turn accrued interests over the years.
The defunct Nairobi County Council was also drawn into the mess, with the governor saying they cannot pay for the failed governments’ failure.
Through their lawyer Elias Mutuma, Sonko noted that his administration had not been well furnished with the status of payment of the pending decrees.
“The county is caught up in a situation where it is not able to take appropriate legal action in the interest of the public and prudent use of public resources for lack of expresses powers to do so,” said Mr Mutuma as quoted by a local media house.
He added: “The Nairobi county government is experiencing financial constraints that have made it difficult for it to meet its monthly obligations as well as settle debts by its predecessors and particularly the decretal sums issued,”
Sonko has said he remains committed to serving the people of Nairobi, in the wake of the resignation of his deputy.
According to reports, the two fell out owing to their difference in nature, with Igathe saying he got a raw deal from his expectations when he decided to be Sonko’s running mate.
The matter caught many in the ruling coalition by surprise, with leaders in the party led by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja pushing to reconcile the two.