Sonko slams CJ Koome over Supreme Court ruling, insists he will be on the ballot

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has trashed the Friday Supreme Court ruling that dismissed the appeal challenging his impeachment and upheld it, thereby effectively locking him out of the race for Mombasa County’s top seat.

Addressing the media on Saturday, Sonko faulted Chief Justice Martha Koome for being part of the seven judge bench that delivered the ruling claiming she was compromised.

He argued that the CJ had previously already expressed her stand about his case in the media, an action he says showed her impartiality thus arguing that she was not supposed to be among the judges administering the ruling.

“Heri nishindwe kwa haki lakini si dhulma. Martha Koome was heard on media saying that an impeached governor remains impeached until the case is overturned, a prisoner remains a prisoner until his appeal is upheld and the case is overturned,” Sonko stated.

“She was at fault because contrary to the law, the fact that she is a Supreme Court judge, she was not supposed to be in my case ruling because she already had an opinion that I am not supposed to be a governor and in the IEBC list.”

The ex-county boss cited a past directive by CS Koome to lawyers Nelson Havi and Ahmednasir Abdullahi that barred the pair from speaking publicly on ongoing court cases, failure to which they would face a six-month imprisonment.

In consequence, Sonko now wants the CJ to step down from her position saying she should also have a taste of her own medicine as she is not above the law.

“Martha Koome is not above the law, I am not against her, I respect her but she should not be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. I want her to step down in a respectable manner, I am not saying this because I was disadvantaged by the ruling but I have my own reasons,” he stated.

“She has defied the directive that one shouldn’t comment on an ongoing case…ajichukulie hatua na ajifunge miezi sita for defying her own order.”

Sonko reiterated that he would not shy away from fighting for his rights, noting that he will still be in the Mombasa Governor’s contest come August.

He however remained discreet on his game play, pointing out that he would inform of his decisions and plans later.

“I will be on the ballot, the law allows me to be on the ballot. The decision of the Supreme Court was recused, there was forgery,” he said. 

“I will speak on my future plans... This case has been heard and determined without having the chance to present our evidence."

At the same time, the embattled politician maintained that the decision by the seven-judge bench on Friday was skewed claiming it was rushed through and he was not accorded adequate time after the Mombasa ruling on Thursday.

“As the judge of the Supreme court, she should have given me seven days or 10 days I finish up with the Mombasa High Court, what was the hurry? Have you ever seen a case been done today then determined tomorrow? The ruling was a contrary process,” he said.

During the hearing on Friday, a joint verdict delivered by the judges ruled that the impeachment proceedings against Sonko before the Nairobi County Assembly and the Senate were properly conducted in accordance with Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33 of the County Governments Act and Standing Orders of the Assembly and the Senate.

“From the record and submissions before this Court, we come to the irresistible conclusion that the impeachment of the appellant was in compliance with the Constitution and the law. We, therefore, find no merit in the Petition of Appeal,” ruled the Apex Court.