Today, President Uhuru Kenyatta have pulled a rabbit out of the hat today. He has gotten one of his loyal soldiers. Someone he has promoted, honoured and served in the Kenyan Defence Force (KFD) . To become the Director General of the newly created Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), this being Major General Mohammed Abdallah Badi. Who has served in AMISOM, run the Moi Airforce Base and now taken over Nairobi County.
Mike Sonko was elected in 2017. However, by the end of 2019 all of his reign started to unravel. The looting, the corruption scandals and the mismanagement of the city became clear to the public. He was even charged and put into prison for a short stint. Nevertheless, he haven’t been sentenced nor had to serve any real time. His out on bond and seemingly free.
Already by 25th February 2020 he signed off parts of Nairobi County to the State House. Clearly sending a message, that he wanted to co-operate, as he still a suspect and not allowed to function as a County Governor. Now on the 18th March 2020 the State House and the President revealed more. They have created a new unit to control the city and its county, but also lost his job.
What we have seen here is a dismissal of ordinary practice. Not to long ago there was a successful impeachment of the Governor of Kiambu, that was also in mid-February 2020. Now, the President and his team surely didn’t want an by-election nor any other way of organizing the Capitol. That is why Sonko had be moved softly and without a scream.
What we are seeing here in the middle of the second term of Kenyatta is a political ploy to not get an by-election. Avoid an impeachment of one of his allies. Mike Sonko of Nairobi. He don’t want to have more politicking, but more sense of control. That is why a loyal brother get a new technical position in the city. His the epitome of technocrat.
Maj. Gen Badi might be a angle, might be the devil, but at this point that doesn’t matter. Yes, by some degree, we can say Governor Sonko followed Article 182(1b) by resigning today. However, we can also question the means and measures of doing so, as there is still not established evidence nor grounds for the article 181(1b), which states that there is serious reason for believing that the county governor has committed a crime under national or international law.
Yes, the DPP and DCI have allegations, but they are not concurred and sentenced through the courts. Not that I believe Sonko is a choir-boy, but righteous actions and means from the State House should be expected and doing both of these things today. Put the whole action into play.
If we are also honest about this, now that the Governor Sonko is out of the picture, as he resigned and the Office is vacant. There should be a by-election. That is if the Constitution still matters in the Republic, as the article 182(5) states that it should happen within 60 days of the vacancy and doesn’t prescribe any possibility of a manufactured organization control the county itself.
That’s why I have a hard time swallowing the Maj. Gen. appointment today. Not that I want Sonko, just like I didn’t like Evans Kidero’s way either. It is just switching gangsters in office, no change just a different face. What is needed is someone who truly represents the citizens and their needs. A technocrat appointed from the President will definitely not do that.
Other than be a loyal water-boy and servant with a army tone to the civil servants of the capital. Following the direct orders like a foot-soldier and try to shake things-up. Nevertheless, that is just a image and not the real deal. His run military operations, an air-field, but a public office. His trying to tame another lion. The Maj. Gen will needs the tears of the lion to give him liquid courage. Because this will not be easy.
Secondly, this should be easy to take to court and nullify. That is if there is any interest in challenging the President and his clientele at the moment. They were busy fighting locusts, now Coronavirus and before that selling the BBI. Now, they had a minor whiff and got rid of one problem.
However, will this be the end of this saga? Nah. I doubt that. A soldier like Maj. Gen Badi will not let this get away. Not that he has gotten here. Peace.
MinBane 