After Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was impeached in December 2020, the embattled county boss went on a verbal rampage attacking the government.
So bitter was Sonko that he did not spare President Uhuru Kenyatta and Interior PS Karanja Kibicho in his attacks that placed him on the wrong side of the law prompting Ukambani leaders lead by Wiper Party leader to plead with Uhuru on his behalf.
“Mr. President we understand he has hurled insults on your character and the office you serve but we apologise on his behalf,” Kalonzo plead with Uhuru during the first anniversary of the late President Daniel Arap Moi.
In February, Sonko was detained after he presented himself at the DCI headquarters for grilling after he alleged that the government-sponsored violence during the 2017 election.
While pleading with Uhuru to pardon Sonko, Kalonzo agreed that indeed the former county chief had indeed hurled insults against the President stating that the entire Ukambani region was apologetic in Sonko’s stead.
“Give him to us and we shall mentor him for you. We have to build the nation and sometimes we need to be tough but I plead with you to allow us to take care of him,”
On Thursday, a three judge bench of the High Court shot down Sonko’s petition challenging his impeachment by Nairobi County Assembly which was later adopted by the Senate.
The judgement follows after several petitioners including Human Rights activist Okiya Omtatah, Habil Kongo, Sonko himself, Kananu and seven others.
Sonko was first impeached by Members of the Nairobi County Assembly on December 3, 2020.
In a session that lasted for close to four hours, 88 Members of County Assembly (MCAs) supported the motion accusing the governor of violating the Constitution, abuse of office and gross misconduct with only two voting against it.
accused of crippling operations of the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) and the Executive by failure to assent to the Sh37 billion budget.
The Senate upheld his impeachment on December 17, 2020.
27 senators voted in favour of the impeachment of Sonko on all the four grounds brought against him by the Nairobi County Assembly.
16 Senators, mostly allied to Deputy President William Ruto voted against the motion.
Two others abstained — Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni) and Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi).
