Anne Kananu to be sworn in as Nairobi deputy governor

Nairobi DG nominee Ann Kananu during vetting at the assembly chambers on January 15, 2021. [Samson Wire, Standard].

Nairobi county assembly has approved Anne Kananu's nomination as deputy governor following successful vetting earlier in the day.

She is set to be sworn in at the KICC. This comes as activist Okiya Omtatah filed a notice to appeal the decision okaying the vetting of Anne Kananu as another petitioner filed a complaint against Justice Anthony Mrima.

The MCAs, when debating on her suitability to hold the post, said Kananu has proven integrity seeing as her three years at the county’s Disaster and Emergency Management as well as the Water dockets have not been marred by queries.

Kananu who was nominated as deputy governor by Sonko was vetted at City Hall early after the court threw out an application by Sonko to stop the exercise and subsequent swearing-in of Kananu as Deputy Governor.

This was despite a spirited fight to erect a hurdle against the process. The court on Friday dismissed an application by Omtatah to halt the exercise.

According to Justice Mrima, although the case filed and supported by Sonko has legal issues to be determined, they had not proved that they would suffer any loss should Kananu be vetted.

The judge said it is impossible to tell whether the county will reject or approve her and that the court has powers to reverse the process in the event it finds she was not properly nominated.

“The court is called upon to balance the interest of the petitioners and the general public. Given the legal issues remain unsettled, there is wisdom for constitutional bodies to carry out their mandate as the parties battle in court,” ruled Justice Murima.

In a dramatic court session, immediately after the ruling, Sonko’s lawyer Wilfred Nyamu asked the judge to suspend his orders and also block Kananu’s swearing-in.

Nairobi deputy governor nominee Ann Kananu leaves City Hall after being vetted on January 15, 2021. [Samson Wire, Standard]

“The situation we are in warrants us to stand and seek court’s intervention. There is a threat to defeat this appeal. A threat which will render the appeal nugatory. What’s the hurry? Why must the vetting be done today?” Nyamu argued.

The county’s first woman deputy governor was also lauded for being available to help residents when she headed the Disaster and Emergency management docket, especially during slum fires and calamities brought about by floods.

Kananu has said she will support and work with the Nairobi Metropolitan Services team headed by Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Mohammed Badi.

Speaking on Friday when she appeared before Nairobi County Assembly Appointments committee led by Majority Leader Abdi Guyo, she said unlike former Governor Mike Sonko, she will work with the General Mohammed Badi-led agency to improve services.

“I will work together with NMS to make sure whatever plans are put in place are accomplished.”

Questioned on what her plans for Nairobi are regarding the traffic congestion, Kananu, 40, said PSVs should be moved from the CBD.

On garbage collection, the incoming deputy governor noted that she would implement the Garbage Collection Act and look into converting waste into energy as well as seeking alternative sites for dumping.

How would she deal with cartels? According to the Nairobi DG nominee, cartels who curtail processes for their own selfish gains can be cut off through efficient services.

During questioning, Kananu was cornered into declaring her stand on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), to which she answered in the affirmative.