From citizen Anne Kananu to Deputy Governor in four hours

It had all the hallmarks of  well-oiled  machinery and the attendant  efficiency.

Anne Kananu walked into the Nairobi County Assembly chambers as an ordinary citizen and walked out as deputy governor.

Questions have been raised on the constitutionality of her swearing in for the job.

Kananu, speaking after her swearing in at KICC, thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Jubilee Party for the change in her circumstances and promised to work with the county assembly.

She also thanked impeached Governor Mike Sonko for having had shown confidence in her by nominating her as his Deputy. Sonko has since recanted the nomination and the man who had challenged it in court, Peter Agoro, withdrawn the matter after which activist Okiya Omtatah filled it afresh only to lose this morning paving way for Kananu's vetting, approval and subsequent swearing in.

Omtatah was filing a notice of appeal as Justice John Mativo swore Mwenda for her new role.

“Together we shall be strong and manage the county better,” she said in the ceremony attended by NMS Director-General  Maj.Gen Mohammed Badi.

While Kananu was taking oath of office, activist Okiya Omtatah filed a notice to appeal the decision okaying the vetting of Kananu as another petitioner filed a complaint against Justice Anthony Mrima.

Nairobi Deputy Governor Ann Kananu with MCAs after being vetted at the assembly on January 15, 2021. [Samson Wire, Standard]

Kananu, who was nominated as deputy governor by Sonko, was vetted at City Hall early after the court threw out an application by Sonko to stop the exercise and subsequent swearing-in of Kananu as Deputy Governor.

But questions abound on how Kananu was vetted to hold the DG post yet the governor who nominated her – Sonko --  has been impeached.

The law dictates that when a governor is impeached, his principal assistant should also not continue to hold office.

Questions were further raised on who she is deputizing as former Speaker Benson Mutura is an acting governor.

During her vetting, the deputy governor admitted that the DG's role in running the affairs of the county is not clearly spelt out in the Constitution. It remains to be seen how she will work with Mutura and how she may take over the county as its governor.