Former Nairobi Governor Sonko Testifies in Ongoing Corruption Case
NAIROBI — Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko appeared before the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court on Tuesday to begin his defence against charges of conflict of interest and procurement irregularities stemming from his tenure at City Hall.
Testifying under oath, Sonko presented video recordings his legal team argued demonstrated his history of opposing corruption. The footage showed Sonko, during his time as Nairobi Senator, intervening to stop the alleged grabbing of a public school in Kamkunji and a water reservoir in Loresho. His defence maintains the current charges are a retaliatory move by individuals threatened by his anti-graft efforts.
The case against Sonko originated in January 2020, focusing on the alleged irregular award of a revenue collection services contract to a firm in which he was said to have a personal interest. The charges were amended in September 2020. After the prosecution closed its case in July 2022, the trial court acquitted Sonko in December 2022, finding the prosecution had not proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The prosecution appealed. The High Court later ruled the trial magistrate had erred by evaluating the original charge sheet instead of the amended one. The matter was remitted back to the trial court for a fresh determination based on the amended charges.
In a ruling on January 20, 2025, Magistrate Charles Ondieki found Sonko had a case to answer on the amended charges and placed him on his defence. The defence hearing commenced in May 2025, with Sonko taking the stand as the 21st defence witness.
The proceedings continue, with Sonko’s testimony forming a central part of his strategy to rebut the allegations of conflict of interest and procurement law violations. The court will hear further defence evidence before a final determination is made.
