Kenyan: Ousted Governor Barred from Seeking Public Office

A court has temporarily ‘barred’ the Kenyan electoral body from clearing a controversial former governor of the capital Nairobi from running for the same seat in the coastal city of Mombasa.

The high court in Mombasa ordered the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission not to process Mike Sonko’s nomination papers for the August 9 election pending the case.

“Three civil society organisations that have sued Mr. Sonko want him disqualified because he was removed from office as Nairobi governor for violating the constitution.” 

They say that since he was found ‘unsuitable’ to hold office, he should similarly not hold any other public office.

Mr. Sonko was “impeached in December 2020 for gross misconduct and abuse of office.”

BBC/Christopher Ojilere/Shakirat Sadiq