Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been ordered to defend himself in a Sh20 million corruption case. The decision, delivered by Milimani Magistrate Charles Ondieki, indicates that the prosecution has established a prima facie case against Sonko and his co-accused, including ROG Security Limited and Anthony Ombok. The charges, which range from money laundering to abuse of office and conflict of interest, date back to Sonko’s tenure as Nairobi Governor in 2019.
Magistrate Ondieki ruled that the charges brought by the state are not defective or ambiguous, dismissing arguments that they would cause undue embarrassment or injustice to the accused. However, he acquitted Sonko on two counts of conspiracy to commit corruption, stating that those charges were duplex in nature.
The prosecution alleges that Sonko improperly benefited by demanding Sh10 million from Web Tribe Limited through ROG Security Limited. This payment was reportedly an inducement to facilitate payments to Web Tribe by the Nairobi City County Government.
Sonko has announced his intention to call witnesses, including officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), to support his defense when the hearing begins. The case’s history has been marked by a series of legal twists. In 2022, then Milimani Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti acquitted Sonko, citing a defective charge sheet. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) appealed the decision.
In December 2023, High Court Judge Nixon Sifuna reinstated the case, ruling that Magistrate Ogoti erred by relying on the original charge sheet rather than the amended one. Justice Sifuna ordered a retrial under a new magistrate, with instructions to determine whether the evidence and amended charges warranted a defense.
Magistrate Ondieki has now confirmed that a defense is required, with the trial set to proceed from May 18 on a day-to-day basis for two weeks. The court has emphasized that no adjournments will be allowed during the defense hearing.
This development marks a significant step in the long-standing graft allegations against the former governor, further highlighting the ongoing fight against corruption in Kenya.
