PHOTOS: Ex- Nairobi Governor Mike Soko Joins Kenya Kwanza Party

On a Twitter thread seen by this publication, DP Ruto welcomed Sonko to the party.

Mike sonko with DP Ruto. PHOTO Twitter

"We welcome @MikeSonkoto Kenya Kwanza, the winning team" he stated.

Mike sonko with DP Ruto. PHOTO Twitter

We welcome @MikeSonko to Kenya Kwanza, the winning team. pic.twitter.com/iCJ4zuzuQ9

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) July 30, 2022

Confirming his decision, Sonko wrote on social media that he had been compelled to give up his leadership role because of the difficulties he had faced, particularly when he intended to run for Mombasa governor under the Wiper party.

"It is with a heavy heart that I come to you this morning. You all know what has been going on and how I have been pushed to the wall trying to do my best for you my people of Mombasa. Time is not on our side and I have had to sit down as a leader, think about what would be best for my people and I have come to the realisation that I should work with a government that shares the same vision for my people as I and one that benefits them. It is not about Sonko now, I have to think about the people of Mombasa and their future. I will not be leaving my brother Hon. Ali Mbogo behind, who has been put to suffering by those fighting me, and therefore from the positions offered I will also consider him". He posted.

The former Nairobi boss continued by saying that he has been given a new opportunity by God.

"When God closes one door He opens a better one. Isaiah 43:18 and 19 He says, "forget the former things, do not dwell in the past. I am doing a NEW thing. I am making a way". With your blessings, I would want to get into this agreement with UDA, so that I can be assured of jobs and opportunities for my Mombasa and Nairobi people. I however will not leave without gratitude to His Excellency Dr Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka who has stood with me all along with the same ambition of helping the people of Mombasa. I also pass my gratitude to His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta who has been like a brother to me and supported me and I wish him nothing but the very best of luck in his future endeavours. Going to the other side, I go in peace and promise peaceful campaigns sio siasa ya chuki wala matusi". He added.

The former flamboyant governor also disclosed a list of posts in the United Democratic Alliance Party that had been made available to him. Before making a choice, he went even farther and asked his fellow Kenyans for their approval.
"If you're with me na mnipe baraka zenu then I will be signing this agreement in the next 2 hours. Niende nisiende?".
Below are positions offered to me and my people as captured in the engagement agreement/MOU.

1. One CS National Government
2. Three PSs National Government
3. Four Ambassadors
4. Three CEC's Mombasa County
5. Three Chief officers Mombasa County
6. Two CEC's Nairobi county
7. Three Chief officers Mombasa County

On Friday 15th July the Supreme Court upheled decisions by the High Court and Court of Appeal, affirming former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's impeachment.

In the ruling, the apex court agreed with the decisions of the lower courts upholding his removal from office by the Senate.

The seven-judge bench led by Chief Justice Martha Koome said they dismissed Sonko's appeal for lack of jurisdiction.

"The Court lacked jurisdiction to determine the appeal. However, in view of the public interest nature of the dispute, the need for due guidance to the judicial process and to the courts below, and for the sake of posterity and development of jurisprudence the Court (the majority) has decided to settle all the pertinent questions the appeal raises, instead of downing tools on account of want of jurisdiction," the document read.

"There were four counts of impeachable charges against the appellant. The County Assembly, the Senate, and the two superior courts below were convinced that the charges were proved to the standard required in such circumstances. No error for their analysis and conclusion has been presented."

The Supreme Court heard the appeal where parties argued their cases with Sonko insisting his impeachment did not meet the threshold set under the Constitution.

The appeal was heard on the day Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cleared him to run for Mombasa Governor’s seat in the August polls.

On December 3, 2020, Sonko was impeached by 88 Nairobi Members of the County Assembly.

The case later proceeded to the Senate, as is required by the Constitution on December 17, 2020, where they upheld the resolution to remove him from office.

More to follow...