Polycarp Igathe is still Nairobi County’s Deputy Governor, this is far as Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) records are concerned.
In a letter signed by Michael Goa, IEBC Director of Legal and Public Affairs, and dated January 9, 2020 to the Clerk and the Speaker of Nairobi County through lawyer John Diro, IEBC states that it still recognizes Igathe as the DG Nairobi County.
“On the vacancy in the office of the Deputy Governor, Nairobi County, the Commission has not received any formal communication as to the alleged vacancy other than information in the media,” IEBC responded in a letter addressed to Diro.
IEBC’s stand on the matter means that Igathe’s resignation has never been gazetted so as to enable the electoral commission declare a vacancy and consequently allow Sonko to replace him.
Igathe through a statement on his Twitter account on January 12, 2018, stated that he had opted out after failing to earn the trust of Governor Mike Sonko.
“Dear Nairobians, it is with a heavy heart that I resign my seat as elected Deputy Governor of Nairobi City County effective 1 pm. on Jan 31, 2018. I regret I have failed to earn the trust of the governor to enable me to drive the administration and management of the county.
“Without fear, favour or ill will, I step down to avoid abusing or betraying my oath of office to Kenyans, Nairobians and my family. Thank you for the encouraging support given to me so far,” he tweeted.
Anti-Corruption court in February issued an order barring the Nairobi County Assembly from vetting Governor Mike Sonko’s deputy governor nominee Anne Mwenda.
Sonko had nominated Mwenda in early January in a bid to avert paralysis at City Hall as he battles charges over misappropriation of more than KSh357 million.
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