Impeached Nairobi governor Mike Sonko wore a defiant ‘never give up’ T-shirt as he addressed the nation following the ruling by the Supreme Court, which pundits believe was the last nail on his political career.
Sonko, who was live on Facebook, maintains that he was denied the time to defend himself as a Kenyan citizen, further faulting Chief Justice Martha Koome for being part of the seven-judge bench.
He claimed Koome had already declared her interest in the case; therefore, the ruling was compromised.
“Heri nishindwe kwa haki lakini si dhulma. Martha Koome was heard on media saying that an impeached governor remains impeached until the case is overturned, a prisoner remains a prisoner until his appeal is upheld. The case is overturned,” Sonko stated.
“She was at fault because contrary to the law, the fact that she is a Supreme Court judge, she was not supposed to be in my case ruling because she already had an opinion that I am not supposed to be a governor and in the IEBC list.”
PHOTO/Facebook
Sonko referred to a previous directive by CJ Koome to lawyers Nelson Havi and Ahmednasir Abdullahi, where she barred them from commenting on ongoing court cases, saying they risk six-month imprisonment.
Consequently, Sonko said Koome should resign as she is not above the law.
“Martha Koome is not above the law. I am not against her, I respect her, but she should not be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. I want her to step down in a respectable manner, I am not saying this because I was disadvantaged by the ruling but I have my own reasons,” he stated.
“She has defied the directive that one shouldn’t comment on an ongoing case…ajichukulie hatua na ajifunge miezi sita for defying her own order.”
Sonko still optimistic
With the ruling and the August 9 polls only 24 days away, it is almost impossible to think Sonko will still make it to the ballot but of course, hope springs eternal.
Sonko says while the ruling rendered him unfit to hold office or vie for one, he still has a plan and will share details of his game plan to be in the Mombasa gubernatorial race soon.
“I will be on the ballot, the law allows me to be on the ballot. The decision of the Supreme Court was recused. There was a forgery,” he said.
“I will speak on my future plans… This case has been heard and determined without having the chance to present our evidence.”
