Governor Sonko nominates Anne Mwenda as Deputy Governor

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko with ounty Disaster Management and Coordination Chief Officer Anne Mwenda at a past function. Sonko has nominated Ms Mwenda as Deputy Governor. [Courtesy]

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has finally nominated a Deputy Governor and urged the County Assembly to expeditiously vet her for appointment.

In a statement sent to County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi on Monday evening, Sonko nominated Anne Kananu Mwenda to the position of Deputy Governor.

"Given the foregoing, and in the interest of ensuring stability Nairobi and the largest County by economy and population, I do hereby nominate Anne Kananu Mwenda to the position of Deputy Governor,” read the letter.

The governor said the move was in line with article 180(5) of the Constitution and the Supreme Court Advisory of March 2018.

“In March 2018 the Supreme Court gave an advisory regarding the nomination of a Deputy Governor once vacancy occurs as in the case in Nairobi County,” read the letter in parts.

He said prior to the Supreme Court advisory, there was a legal vacuum that has not been cured upto day, but the legal framework is being worked on by both Parliament.

He urged the Assembly to expedite Mwenda’s vetting process for purposes of appointment as per the provision of County Government Act.

He said though he was granted bail terms in a case he is accused of misusing public resources, the court required him as the county chief to stay out of office until the determination of the matter.

“As a law abiding citizen, I will continue to abide by the bail terms granted to me and ensure the operations of the county are not affected in anyway,” he said.

Prior to this nomination, Ms Mwenda was the county Disaster Management and Coordination Chief Officer.

Mwenda's nomination comes two years after Polycap Igathe resigned, stciting frustrations and mistrust between him and Governor Sonko.