Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was conspicuously missing during Thursday’s Jamhuri Day celebrations.
The Nairobi electorate was hopeful that the Governor would attend the event to welcome guests to Nairobi as the official host, but at the time of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s arrival at 11 AM, Sonko was nowhere to be seen.
Sonko’s name was also nowhere in the day’s program, with the disordered state of the County being laid bare for all to see.
The embattled politician was released from police custody Wednesday after he was arrested Friday over corruption accusations.
Although the terms of his release stated that he is not allowed to access his office, no particular directive was issued as to whether he should stay away from national events.
The Nairobi County leadership was represented by Senator Johnson Sakaja and Woman Representative Esther Passaris.
Under normal protocol, the head of the County where national celebrations are held is in charge of welcoming distinguished guests to his/her devolved unit.
Without a governor or a deputy governor representing Nairobi, Deputy President William Ruto took charge of the program, inviting distinguished guests to the podium to make their official remarks during the fete.
The DP began by ushering in Prime Minister of Barbados, the Rt. Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, before welcoming President Uhuru Kenyatta to the podium.
Sonko, however, sent his Jamhuri wishes to Kenyans through social media.
Happy 56th Jamhuri Day to all Kenyans. #JamhuriDay pic.twitter.com/YZBC8qYbfk
— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) December 12, 2019