Sonko seeks feminine touch to fill vacant Deputy Governor position

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has kicked off in earnest plans to replace former Deputy Governor Polycarp Igathe.

The flamboyant governor is mooting former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru, business woman Agnes Kagure, advocates Karen Nyamu and Jane Weru as possible options in an all women nominee line up.

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In May, the Nairobi County Assembly rejected Sonko’s earlier nominee, controversial lawyer Miguna Miguna.

The outspoken Miguna was deported earlier this year for his role in the mock swearing in of then opposition leader Raila Odinga on January 30.

During an interview on Milele FM on August 22, Sonko said that his preference is for a woman to occupy the coveted position.

The governor also revealed he is consulting with Jubilee party’s top leadership on the matter.

“I have four names in mind but  I want to consult my party’s leadership first,” said Sonko.

Miguna’s nomination split the Jubilee Party hierarchy with Vice Chairman David Murathe accusing the governor of using it as a diversionary tactic to sway public attention from his “poor performance”

Sonko said by nominating Miguna, he was simply trying to respect the Supreme Court’s decision that gave governors powers to nominate replacements in the event their deputies resign, die or are impeached in office.

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During the Milele FM interview, he also lifted the lid the intrigues that culminated into the nomination of Miguna.

“I nominated him out of anger and bitterness. He was never the person I wanted to work with to transform Nairobi. I simply caved in to pressure from forces who were blackmailing me into appointing specific persons,” said the governor.

Nominees

Ms. Kagure is a gender activist and an insurer. She has been voted Agent of the Year for seven years by the Association of Kenya Insurers.

Ms. Nyamu vied for the Jubilee party Woman Representative ticket but lost to Racheal Shebesh.

Ms. Wanjiru is a former Nairobi gubernatorial aspirant, a former Starehe MP and a televangelist.

Ms. Weru is an executive director of Akiba Mashinani Trust, an NGO.

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The Deputy Governor position has been vacant since Igathe resigned on January 31 citing failure to earn the trust of the governor.