Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko moved to court to file a petition against Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga for declaring Monday a public holiday.

Sonko argued in his petition that Raila broke the law by making the declaration, yet he did not have the prerogative to.

The petition was filed on Friday before Lady Justice Hedwig Ong’udi who in response to Sonko’s petition noted the petition was of national importance and therefore could not be dismissed prematurely.

"I have perused the Petition, Notice of Motion and the Certificate of Urgency all dated March 17, 2023. I have noted that the same were filed at 4:05 pm and the file placed before me at 4:30 pm," Ong’udi said.

Ong’udi also said she did not find any gazette notice by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki declaring Monday a public holiday.

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"I have perused the pleadings and annexures and have not found any Gazette Notice by the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Interior declaring March 20, 2023, a public holiday as per Section 3 of the Public Holidays Act," Ong’udi sid.

Justice Ong’udi directed Sonko to server Raila, the Attorney General’s office and the interested parties in the matter.

Raila on Tuesday, while addressing a rally in Siaya County, declared Monday a public holiday to allow Kenyans and his supporters to take part in the planned countrywide mass demonstrations against President William Ruto’s administration for failing to lower the cost of living.