Kananu Being Naughty? – City Lawyer

Nairobi Based Constitutional lawyer Peter Wanyama has questioned the legality of the hurried coronation of Nairobi Deputy Governor Anne Kananu. In the now usual fashion, Anne Kananu was vetted, appointed, and gazette as the Deputy Governor within a matter of hours. This infringement on the constitution points to a dangerous precedent as the country gears up for an election in less than 20 months.

Peter Wanyama explained that the law governing the appointment of Deputy Governors requires that once a deputy Governor is vetted, the person must be appointed by the Sitting Governor as stipulated in section 32D of the County Government Act. A deputy governor cannot assume office without the seal of appointment of a Governor.

Sounding disappointed, Wanyama said” I don’t know what is going at the law courts but from a rule of law standpoint the position taken by judges, in this case, is immensely disappointing.  The Court of Appeal or the Supreme Court should clarify this legal mess.”

He questions who will appoint the deputy governor after approval by the County Assembly and at what point will the new Deputy Governor assume office as Governor for the remainder of the term.

Wanyama summarises the events at city hall as a coup d’etat- aimed at grabbing power through the back door, cautioning that it sets an extremely dangerous precedent for the country.