Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi alias Sonko has reacted to the appointment of Ousmane Sonko as Senegal’s Prime Minister (PM).
Writing on his social media platforms, Sonko (Mbuvi) highlighted similarities between him and PM Sonko.
“This is why we must never ever give up in life. This man @SonkoOfficiel, just like me was wrongfully accused of crimes he never committed, he was harrassed, arrested and thrown in prison,” stated the former governor.
“He was banned from contesting in the elections and just a week ago he was still a prisoner. Now, he is the Prime Minister of Senegal. Watu wangu when God says yes nobody can say no,” he further added.
Senegalese newly elected President Bassirou Diomaye appointed PM Sonko aged 49 on Wednesday after he was sworn in on Tuesday.
PM Sonko is the leader of the African Patriots of Senegal for Work, Ethics and Fraternity (PASTEF), a political party founded in 2014.
Mike Sonko’s predicament
The former governor was impeached on December 3, 2020. The Senate upheld his impeachment forcing him to move to court.
High Court and Court of Appeal upheld this decision forcing him to move to the Supreme Court. The Apex Court held that he fails the integrity test to hold a public office.
The bench in the jugement quoted the Constitution Chapter Six Article 75 (3), which states; A person who has been dismissed or otherwise removed from office for a contravention of the provisions specified in clause (2) is disqualified from holding any other State office.
Political journey
Sonko joined elective politics as Makadara Member of Parliament during a by-election on September 2010.
He then vied for the Nairobi Senetorial position in 2013 and won. He later vied for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat in 2017.
Prior to the Supreme Court decision, he planned to vie for the Mombasa gubernatorial position.
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