The embattled Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko on Tuesday surrendered key functions of the county to the national government in a sweet state house deal that did not involve the people of Nairobi.
The deal that should begin ‘getting’ into ‘effect’ in two weeks has raised many questions even from the country’s top legal minds. There are provisions in the law but the procedure is raising questions on motive.
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Sonko was barred from accessing his office late last year for allegedly being involved in of Sh 357 million from county coffer. He was also accused of abusing his office among other charges.
That, coupled with the lack of a deputy governor put Nairobi in complete disarray. Sonko’s Deputy Polycarp Igathe, resigned at the end of January 2018, just five months after election.
The move also ‘boldens’ the state’s desire to run county number 47 (Nairobi) which doubles up as the country’s capital and economic hub. And even politically, the regime of the day was not happy when Nairobi was in the hands of the opposition from 2013 to 2017. DP William Ruto in around 2015, 16 or thereabout promised that they would ‘win’ Nairobi from ODM by hook or crook.
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He tried to parade Devolution CS Eugene Wamalua but he was too soft for Nairobi, the popular Sonko won. Eugene worked closely with Sonko and the two are now destined to even work closer, he is not vocal on BBI politics like Eugene but DP keeps winning.
He has a lot in his plate, neutralizing impeachment plots. Waititu was just impeached in Kiambu and that would set precedent for Sonko. Other than facing similar charges, the two are seen as academic dwarfs and strangers to management.
In Nairobi apart from the absence of the deputy, the speaker of the county assembly is also embroiled in many court cases like the governor and therefore cannot take over.
The government is playing Sonko because he is desperate for survival, like in the arrangement with Igathe, he will remain the ‘figure head governor’ and government the bright fellow who can administrate.
He is now making deals without the approval of the people because again, the electorate, especially from Nairobi, is a lot that cannot make rational decisions.
Sonko has fallen in the hands of the national government he had accused of undermining him in Nairobi because it was the best and less chaotic option he had.
