Nairobi Speaker Benson Mutura was on Monday morning sworn in as the Acting Governor of Nairobi following Sonko’s impeachment on Thursday.
Mutura whose inauguration initially set for Friday was postponed after the presiding judge missed a crucial constitutional timeframe which requires swearing in ceremonies to be conducted between 10am and 2pm will act for a period not exceeding sixty days.
Mutura was sworn in at 10:30am on Monday at the County Assembly.
The solicitor General Kennedy Ogeto,, NMs Major General Mohammed Badi , Nairobi MPs led by Makadara MP George Aladwa are also present in the event.
Mutura pledged to bring unity and restore sanity in Nairobi.
“The fact that am acting Governor means that things are not working and we must fix them,” he said.
Mutura made it clear that his assumption in office is temporary but would work with all means to ensure things will prosper in the capital.
“I want to assure within the 60 days I will work to ensure smooth transition,” he said.
The acting Governor urged the CeCs and Chief officers to support him as he undertake his new duties in the county.
“I expect full support from all CECs, chief officers and Directors, so that we may deliver,” he added.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is required to organize a by-election within sixty days.
Under Article 182 4 and 5 a County Assembly Speaker assumes the Governor’s office where the Deputy Governor is unable to take over following a vacancy.
The law requires that a by-election is held within sixty days from the date the Assembly Speaker assumes the office of the Governor.
The Speaker is second in line after the Deputy Governor, in whose case the law allows service for the remainder of the governor’s term without a requirement for a by-election.
A Deputy Governor who takes over for a period exceeding half a term is deemed to have served a full term as Governor.
Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe however resigned in January 2018 citing Sonko’s lack of confidence in him.
