Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who is gunning for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat, has taken a swipe at the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Hajji and Chief Justice Martha Koome for their stance on the eligibility of impeached governors to run for elective posts in the forthcoming elections.

While addressing a press briefing from his Kilifi County residence, the outspoken politician accused CJ Martha Koome and DPP Hajji of commenting on cases that are sub judice. Sonko claimed that the judicial officers have made clear their stance on his case yet he has active appeals pending judgements.

“Hajji has no right at all to convict me before a verdict has been issued by the court. I have been silent for long but the DPP has incessantly used the media to threaten me,” he said.

CJ Koome’s radio interview

The former county head further accused CJ Koome of doublespeak after she stated that impeached governors cannot run for public offices during a radio interview.

He claimed that it was imprudent for the Chief Justice to issue her opinion on the matter yet in her Supreme Court ruling on BBI, the Head of the Judiciary took issue with some lawyers for taking to social media to comment on the case when it was still pending judgement.

“It was imprudent for CJ Koome to give her opinion on a matter that is still pending judgement. All judges look up to the CJ as their head and it is therefore improper for her to comment on cases that are still active in court. I would love to refer her to the judgement she made on the BBI case, where she took issue with some lawyers for taking to social media to comment on the case when it was still pending judgement,” he said.

Sonko’s concern comes just days after Eldoret High Court Judge Reuben Nyakundi referred a case of whether impeached governors can run for public office to CJ Koome for judicial direction.

In the radio interview referred to by Sonko, the Chief Justice stated that leaders who have been convicted or impeached from elective posts cannot vie in August.

Koome said that individuals who have been convicted for criminal offences cannot hold or run for a public office pending the hearing and determination of any appeal filed to challenge their sentencing.

“You remain impeached until that impeachment is lifted. When you are sentenced, you are sentenced until the sentence is set aside,” she said.