Benson Mutura: Swearing in of speaker as acting Nairobi Governor fails

Benson Mutura was to be sworn in as Nairobi Governor however the judge that was to swear the speaker in failed to show up in time.

The swearing in was to take place hours after Mike Sonko was impeached after 27 out of 16 Senate voted him out.

Sonko was accused of charges including committing a crime under the national and international laws, gross violation of the law, lacking the capability to run the county, and abuse of office.

Following Sonko’s impeachment, the law states that the deputy governor should take the seat of the governor if impeached or resigns. However, the deputy governor of Nairobi resigned in 2018 thus Speaker Mutura will be take over as acting Governor.

Once the Speaker will be sworn in, he will perform the duties of the Governor for a period of 60 days until a by-election is conducted.

Although the swearing in of Benson Mutura was planned for hours, the judge to perform the ceremony did not show up. It is reported that the judge was coming from Mombasa County.

The event was scheduled to happen at 10:30am but by 2pm the judge was not yet in sight. However, sources state that he arrived past 2pm but again left without notice.

The attendees were left speechless as they mumbled among themselves not knowing their next step.

Additionally, the Assembly Minority Chief Peter Imwatok said that the judge could not proceed since he had arrived later than the time specified by the law. Imwatok further said that the ceremony will be postponed to a later date.

Abdi Guyo, the Majority leader, said the judge had been caught up in traffic as he was heading to the City Hall. In addition, Guyo says the ceremony will certainly happen in the coming week.