Embattled former Nairobi governor and Wiper party candidate for Mombasa gubernatorial seat, Mike Sonko, has been dealt a huge blow after the supreme court dismissed his appeal following the impeachment axe the fall on him on 17th December 2020.
While ruling on Sonko’s appeal on Friday, 15th July 2022, the supreme court resolved that it lacked the jurisdiction to determine the appeal and deduced that the impeachment proceedings before Nairobi County Assembly and the Senate were properly executed in accordance with article 181 of the constitution, section 33 of the county government act standing orders of the county assembly and the Senate.
“The impeachment proceedings before the county assembly and the Senate were properly conducted in accordance with article 181 of the constitution, section 33 of the county government act and standing orders of the county assembly and the Senate” read the judgment.
“The appellant was accorded adequate time and facility to respond to the charges against him both in the county assembly and the Senate. That the form of verification envisaged in the context of impeachment motion is a signed copy by the mover and verified signatures by at least a third of members in support of the motion and not an affidavit on any form of disposition” added judgment statement.
Supreme court on Sonko’s impeachment proceedings
The supreme court established that there was sufficient public participation through advertisements in daily Newspapers and carrying out questionnaires in the county.
Sonko was impeached on four accounts; facing graft charges for misappropriation of county funds, abuse of office among other charges.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had cleared ex -the Nairobi boss to vie Mombasa gubernatorial seat after the high court served him a green light to contest for the seat.
The Supreme Court decision to dismiss Sonko’s appeal will force the electoral commission to revoke Sonko’s clearance certificate and bundle him from the race.
