Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has gotten a temporary reprieve after the Employment and Labour Relations court halted the debate on the impeachment motion filed against him.

Justice Nzioki Makau on Tuesday issued conservatory orders adjourning the ouster motion that had been scheduled for debate by the Nairobi County Assembly on Thursday.

"It is hereby ordered that the application be certified urgent and conservatory orders be granted in terms of prayer 3 pending hearing of the motion on December 3, 2020," ruled Makau.

The judge directed Sonko to serve Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Benson Mutura and Clerk Edward Gichana, who are the respondents in the petition, with the suit papers.

Sonko’s lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui rushed to court on Monday to file an urgent case to bar debate on the motion until a petition he filed in February is heard and determined.

Kinyanjui last week blasted Speaker Mutura for allowing the new motion against Sonko, a move he said was in contempt of court as he had challenged in court a similar bid filed in February by Minority Whip Peter Imwatok is still live in court.

This comes a day after police dispersed using tear gas a meeting between the Nairobi County boss and up to 90 MCAs who vowed to oppose the fresh bid to remove Sonko from office.