By Moses Mwaura
It’s now official Polycarp Igathe is no longer the deputy governor of Nairobi County.
Igathe’s postdated resignation on the 11, January, 2018 becomes effective 31, January, 2018, meaning he cannot rescind his exit from City Hall. In his resignation letter Igathe blamed lack of trust from his boss Governor Sonko for his abrupt and shocking resignation just after five months in office.
Before his resignation Igathe was rumoured to have clashed with Sonko over lucrative tender deals but a phone conversation allegedly leaked by the National Intelligence Service contradicted the claims. The leaked audio recording disclosed a good working relation between the two with Sonko even instructing Igathe on how to respond to questions during a live TV interview on NTV.
With Igathe’s official exit from City Hall, Sonko will now serve his full term in office without a deputy unless Parliament amends the County Governments Amendment Bill to give powers to Governors to appoint their deputies should a vacancy arise in the office.
Since Igathe’s exit from City Hall, Sonko has affirmed his authority at City Hall. Sonko has so far stepped up the renovation of roads in City estates and launched the beautification of the City initiative. The Governor has also suspended the director of fire department over the Kijiji slum fire in Langata that left six people dead.
The County Governments Amendment Bill states that a governor will make the appointment within 14 days of the office becoming vacant, but with the approval of the county assemblies.
The Bill sponsored by Senate majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen states that such a vacancy may occur in the event of death, resignation or imprisonment of the sitting deputy governor as well as in cases where the deputy takes over the governor’s office.
Parliament is on recess and will resume on the 13th of February.
