Swearing-In of Benson Mutura as Acting Nairobi Governor Postponed After Judge Arrives Late by a Minute

The swearing-in of Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Benson Mutura as the acting Governor has been postponed.

Mutura was scheduled to take oath on Friday following the impeachment of Mike Sonko as the Governor of Nairobi on Thursday but this did not happen as the judge who was to preside over the ceremony arrived at 2:01 pm, a minute outside the statutory time.

In line with the Assumption of Office Act, Mutura was supposed to be sworn-in not earlier than 10 am and not later than 2 pm. The exercise is likely to be conducted on Monday.

Mutura will take over the position in an acting capacity as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) prepares to conduct a fresh election within 60 days.

The law provides that if a vacancy occurs in the office of the governor, the deputy governor shall assume office as governor for the remainder of the term.

Nairobi County has been without a deputy governor after Polycarp Igathe resigned in 2018 citing a frosted relationship with Sonko.

The law states that in the event a vacancy occurs in both the office of governor and deputy governor, the speaker of the county assembly shall act as county governor until a new governor is elected within 60 days after the Speaker assumes the office.

Mutura was elected the Speaker of the Nairobi County Assembly in August this year after his predecessor Beatrice Elachi resigned.