Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has chosen to remain mum over the abrupt resignation of Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Beatrice Elachi on Tuesday morning.
An otherwise upbeat and calm Elachi announced her resignation at City Hall citing threats to her life and that of her children.
But the Nairobi governor, whom she accused of threatening people’s lives, refused to comment on the allegations.
“Governor Mike Sonko does not wish to comment on the resignation of Speaker Beatrice Elachi. If need be, he will issue a comprehensive statement later. He also wishes to distance himself from a statement circulating in social media platforms,” said Sonko’s spokesperson, Ben Mulwa.
Elachi’s surprise resignation comes after months of tug of war at City Hall that has seen ward representatives coalesce into warring factions.
To avoid a leadership vacuum, Elachi appointed Ruai MCA John Kamangu to take over as the acting speaker.
Just two weeks ago, Elachi barricaded herself in the office after a section of MCAs allied to Governor Sonko sought to serve her with an impeachment motion that was set to be tabled on the same day, July 28.
A day earlier, Elachi-allied MCAs numbering about 30 wanted to impeach Sonko.
But the tables turned after Sonko-allied MCAs gave notice to table motion to impeach Speaker Elachi on several grounds, chief among them the violation of the law in the appointment of a clerk.
The MCAs also accused Elachi of blocking them from accessing the Assembly, working with cartels to undermine Sonko and constantly failing to bring peace to the assembly since her return from impeachment.
