After A Topsy-Turvy Political Life In Nairobi, Mike Sonko Is Now Eyeing Mombasa

NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 11-Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has shifted his political ground to Mombasa, after his controversial removal from City Hall.

He is now seeking to succeed Hassan Joho, as the second Governor of Kenya’s second-largest city.

Sonko will be vying on the Wiper party ticket after the elections board cleared him.

This was confirmed by the party’s Vice Chair elections board Agatha Solitei to Capital FM News.

“That’s the list we have forwarded to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, and yes Sonko has presented himself as a candidate in the Mombasa Governor’s race,” she told Capital FM News.

Sonko decamped from Jubilee in March, the party that had sponsored his ticket in 2017 but one that also supervised his fall from grace to grass.

Does he stand a chance in Mombasa?

He was removed from office due to among other things graft and abuse of office accusations and replaced by Governor Anne Kananu.

His efforts to render the impeachment process null and void, in court, were futile.

Recently, the flamboyant politician and his immediate family members were been banned from travelling to the US over corruption allegations related to abuse of office and bribery.

Counselor for Public Affairs Eric Watnik at the US Embassy in Nairobi said Sonko’s ban from the US is based on “involvement in significant corruption” during his short tenure at City Hall.

Watnik said the State Department has declared Sonko, his wife Primrose Mbuvi, his daughters Saumu and Salma and his underage son ineligible for entry into the US. The designation means they have also been banned from doing any business with the US.

“His (Sonko’s) corruption has been widely reported in local and international press. With this designation the department reaffirms the need for accountability, transparency and respect for rule of law in Kenya’s democratic institutions, government processes and the actions of the public officials,” said Watnik.

He continued: “The United States will continue to use all tools available to combat corruption and promote respect for human rights globally.”