Kananu clears hurdle in bid for city governor

Nairobi Deputy Governor Anne Kananu has cleared one of the hurdles preventing her from becoming county boss.

The Court of Appeal dismissed a case filed by former Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko and other petitioners seeking to stop her from being sworn in as deputy governor and subsequently assuming the role of governor.

The ruling, consolidated two constitutional petitions at the High Court, in essence affirming Ms Kananu as Nairobi deputy governor.

The 40-year-old is awaiting the outcome of a ruling by a three-judge bench formed by Acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu to hear and determine consolidated petitions against her swearing in as Nairobi governor. The ruling will be delivered on May 5.

On Thursday, Justices Said Chitembwe, Wilfrida Okwany and Weldon Korir told Ms Kananu wait for the Court of Appeal ruling on several applications challenging her position as the deputy governor and the process of her appointment.

Withdrawn petition

“Before us are several applications. It is our opinion that she should await the determination of the consolidated petitions,” the judges said.

However, they said orders granted by Justice Anthony Mrima on January 18 stopping the swearing-in of Ms Kananu as governor should remain, pending the hearing and determination of consolidated petitions challenging the event.

In early January, Mr Sonko went to court to challenge the withdrawal of a petition questioning the nomination of Ms Kananu as deputy governor.

The withdrawn petition had been filed by Mr Peter Agoro.

Mr Sonko, through his lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui, opposed the withdrawal and subsequently filed a cross-petition.

The former City Hall boss had also said he withdrew Ms Kananu’s nomination on December 7, 2020.

However, Justice Hedwig Ong’undi declined to suspend her ruling accepting the withdrawal of the petition, advising any party dissatisfied to proceed to the Appellate Court. The advice was immediately taken by Mr Sonko.

Academic exercise

Later, the Court of Appeal said the case had been overtaken by events – the swearing-in of Ms Kananu as deputy governor in January.

“The Court does not and ought not make orders in vain, or engage in an academic exercise,” read the ruling.

“We agree that the instant application has been overtaken by events and dismiss it with no order as to costs.”

Mr Sonko sought orders stopping the implementation of a ruling by Justice Anthony Mrima on January 15.

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