Appeals Court Stops Swearing-in of Anne Kananu as Nairobi Governor

The Appellate Court has temporarily blocked the swearing-in of Anne Kananu as Nairobi Governor pending the hearing of an appeal filed by former Governor Mike Sonko.

The court further stopped the appointment of a deputy governor until October 22nd when the matter will be brought back in court for further directions.

Sonko moved to the Appeals Court after the High Court dismissed two petitions where he was challenging his impeachment as well as the nomination, vetting, and swearing-in of Kananu as Nairobi Deputy Governor.

On June 24th, a three-judge bench made up of Justices Wilfrida Okwany, Said Chitembwe, and Justice Weldon Korir ruled that the Nairobi County Assembly and the Senate followed the law in their removal of Sonko from office.

“We do not find any external hand in the impeachment of Sonko. The impeachment of Sonko fully complied with the constitution and statutory requirements. We, therefore, find the two petitions lack merit and are hereby dismissed,” the judges unanimously ruled.

The judges added that Sonko was accorded a fair hearing, adding that Sonko’s conduct warranted his removal from office.

“We find that the conduct of Sonko does not meet the highest standard expected of a governor.”

The judges further dismissed Sonko’s petition contesting the nomination, vetting, and swearing in of Kananu as Nairobi Deputy Governor.

They ruled that the swearing-in of Kananu was constitutional despite an attempt by Sonko to withdraw her nomination.

“The nomination, vetting, approval, and swearing-in of Kananu as Deputy Governor was constitutional and complied with applicable laws. Consequently, we find that all petitions challenging her ascendancy are without merit and are hereby dismissed,” ruled the court.

Sonko argued that the County Assembly had no powers to appoint her as deputy governor, noting that he had revoked Kananu’s nomination. 

Kananu assumed office in January following a successful vetting process by the County Assembly.