Wajir Governor Ahmed Ali Mukhtar has suffered a blow after the Court of Appeal declined to stop impeached Governor Mohammed Abdi Mohammud from assuming office.

Justices Imaana Laibuta, Wanjiru Karanja and Hannah Okwengu ruled that the absence of stay or conservatory orders would not render the appeal nugatory in the event the appeal succeeds.

“We find that, even though the applicant’s appeal is arguable, our decision not to grant the injunctive relief sought pending appeal would by no means render the intended appeal nugatory,” ruled the Judges. This means Abdi will assume his earlier role as Governor from March 10 as Mukhtar reverts to his original role as deputy governor.

A Meru High Court reinstated him terming his removal from office as illegal saying the County Assembly did not show proof of public participation when it launched the efforts to oust him from office.