Did Igathe Resign? Courts to Decide as Former DG Throws Spanner in the Works

Former Nairobi Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe has caused more confusion at City Hall after he went to court to question whether his resignation was formalized. He has joined the ongoing dispute over the Nairobi Gubernatorial seat. 

Although he handed over his resignation on January 12, 2018, Igathe says he was not aware if the legal steps to formalize his resignation were conducted. 

“That the legal effect of the failure to formalize or recognise my resignation and the failure by the Nairobi County or any public institution to conduct any legal formalities to conclude my resignation is a matter to be determined by this honourable court in my humble view,” he said in an affidavit.

The High Court had already stopped the by-election as announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), pending the determination of several cases.

The court also stopped Deputy Governor Anne Kananu Mwenda from being sworn in as the Governor, pending the determination of a case filed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).

In the case, lawyer Peter Kiiru argues that IEBC has no right to call for a by-election to fill the position because Igathe’s resignation was never formalised.

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He said the resignation was not communicated to the Speaker of the assembly as required by the Constitution.

Mr Igathe says in the affidavit that he resigned on January 12, 2018 in a letter to then Governor Mike Sonko and copied to the Speaker of the County Assembly.

He says neither Sonko nor the Speaker acknowledged his letter.

The City Hall wars began after the impeachment of Sonko. The County Speaker Benson Mutura was made the acting governor, pending the election of the substantive holder. But Ms. Kananu was hurriedly vetted and sworn in, in a process that took about five hours.

The LSK went to court arguing that the move to vet and swear her in undermines the right of the people of Nairobi to elect a Governor and Deputy Governor of their choice.

The cases will be mentioned today before Justice Weldon Korir.

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