Sonko to take impeachment case to Supreme Court, but what next for him?

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko in his private Nairobi office during an interview on his alleged corruption in the judiciary. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is headed to the Supreme Court to challenge his ouster. This is after the Court of Appeal on Friday upheld a decision by the High court that Sonko was legally impeached in 2020.

The court also found that Senate gave Sonko an ear before concluding that he ought to leave the county's helm. But yesterday, Sonko maintained that he was yet to exhaust all avenues of appeal and will be moving to the Supreme Court on Monday.

“The law is clear on all avenues of appeal. I cannot leave the fight at the Court of Appeal. It is a fight to the end,” said Sonko.

He said the judgement by the appellate court had derailed his political plans as he was set to announce his next move if the ruling favoured him.

“I was waiting for this verdict so that I can announce my next political move but since it went against me I have to wait till outcome at the Supreme Court. Monday morning, I will file a notice of appeal,” he added.

Noting that he still believes that it was a few people advancing their interest who conspired to engineer his removal from office.

“Should the Supreme Court vindicate me, I will vie and if the people decide they do not want me, I will accept that because it is the will of the people and not the deep state (sic),” he added.

Should the Supreme Court however maintain that Sonko was legally ousted, then he cannot hold or vie for a public position.

Article 75(3) of the Constitution stipulates that a person who is removed from office for violation of integrity as provided in Chapter Six cannot hold any other State or public office.

On Friday, the judges found that Nairobi Members of County Assembly had proved their allegations while interrogating Sonko.

The court also dismissed Sonko’s argument that there was a pre-planned plot to oust him. In his appeal, he argued that the voting by Senators was biased and pre-determined.