Nairobi Youth To Stage Protests Over Sonko’s Impeachment

A section of Nairobi youth leaders have announced plans to stage demonstrations at City Hall and Senate next week to condemn the impeachment of Governor Mike Sonko.

Under the umbrella body dubbed ‘Coalition of Grassroot Human Rights Organizations’, the leaders have warned of a legal battle against the impeachment saying that it was done illegally.

They have strongly condemned the action of the Members of Nairobi County Assembly vowing to defend the governor.

On Friday, December 4, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka formally received notification from the Nairobi County Assembly Speaker on Sonko’s impeachment.

“I have received the notification and the relevant documents. I am now consultation to see if we can convene a special sitting next week because the law requires that we consider this matter within seven days of notification,” Lusaka said.

Lusaka said that plans are underway to call for a special sitting next week, including the collection of 15 signatures required to call for the sitting.

Senate will then start the process of hearing the charges against the governor, after which they will uphold or vote against the impeachment motion.

88 out of 122 MCAs on Thursday, December 3 voted to impeach the embattled governor after surviving the first attempt.

Sonko was impeached on grounds of abuse of office, gross violation of the Constitution and gross misconduct. His refusal to assent to the budget was at the centre of the impeachment.

His impeachment came after he refused to sign the County’s Appropriation Bill that allocated the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) Ksh37.2 billion.

The flamboyant governor has been at loggerheads with the NMS Director General Major Mohammed Badi on the management of the city after surrendering four key functions.