Nairobi deputy governor shortlisting draws reactions

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko appears before the Senate's County Public Accounts and Investments Committee on July 18, 2018. He has nominated four people for the deputy governor post. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The names have been forwarded to the Jubilee Party leadership for a final word on the best prospect.
  • Majority Whip Chege Mwaura said the Jubilee Party had no issue with the nominees and would wait for the final choice.

The shortlisting of four candidates for the Nairobi County deputy governor’s post by Governor Mike Sonko has elicited mixed reactions in the county.

On Wednesday, Governor Sonko listed former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru, corporate guru Agnes Kagure, lawyers Karen Nyamu and Jane Weru as possible candidates to replace Polycarp Igathe who resigned in January.

The names have been forwarded to the Jubilee Party leadership for a final word on the best prospect, Mr Sonko said.

While the news has been received positively by Jubilee leaders, a section of those from the opposition have trashed it as ‘the usual shenanigans employed by the governor to buy time’.

MIGUNA NOMINATION

Nairobi County Assembly Minority Whip Peter Imwatok on Thursday called on Governor Sonko to immediately nominate a new deputy governor, pointing out that at no time did an advisory by the Supreme Court indicate that the governor should shortlist four women.

“We are demanding that Sonko appoints a deputy governor without the shenanigans we are witnessing. The advisory said he should nominate a person within 14 days of the vacancy, now it is more than seven months. He should stop the games,” Mr Imwatok said.

The Makongeni Ward ODM MCA said the Opposition has no problem with the four nominees, only that the governor should stop being indecisive.

“They are women of integrity and should not be played with. If he wants to appoint one, let him go ahead but not the games. What we want is a deputy governor not who he consults."

He however tore into an assertion by the governor that he had nominated lawyer Miguna Miguna but he was rejected by the Assembly.

“Miguna was not rejected as he was not vetted. The Assembly did a return letter because he did not meet the required threshold and so he should have nominated another person,” Mr Imwatok said.

APPROVED

Nonetheless, Majority Whip Chege Mwaura said the Jubilee Party had no issue with the nominees and would wait for the final choice. The candidate should however demonstrate compatibility with the governor.

“We just want someone who can work with the governor and move the county forward.

“We cannot legally comment on the person of the four individuals until one is arrived at and brought to the Assembly,” Mr Mwaura said.

Kenya Young Members of County Assembly chairperson June Ndegwa, a nominated MCA in Nairobi, also backed the move, saying all the nominees had the potential to serve Nairobi residents if appointed.

Kariokor MCA Millicent Mugadi too lauded the Governor, arguing a woman would represent the residents' interests better.