The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling later on Friday on whether or not former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko was properly impeached from office.
Despite being cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to contest for Mombasa County’s governor seat at the August polls, the new ruling may make or break Sonko’s political career since persons who have been impeached from office are automatically barred from assuming public positions.
Chief Justice Martha Koome announced on Thursday, that the Supreme Court bench, consisting of Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and Justices Mohammed Ibrahim, Smokin Wanjala, Njoki Ndung’u, Isaac Lenaola and William Ouko, will issue a ruling on Sonko’s fate Friday afternoon, which will be relayed to the former governor’s team, via a notice, by the registrar of the apex court.
Koome’s announcement followed a six-hour session at the apex court in which Sonko’s lawyers challenged the High Court and the Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold his ouster from office. They likewise challenged the Senate’s move to pass the motion of impeachment.
Sonko’s lawyers argue that he was removed from office illegally owing to the fact that he was allegedly not given the opportunity to defend himself before the Senate and the Nairobi County Assembly. They also argue that Nairobi residents were not involved in the process.