This archive report was first published on 1 July 2020.
On June 23, 2020, the Nairobi Chief Magistrates court issued a warrant to EACC investigator Christine Nthiga, allowing her to conduct a valuation on the property where Sonko's office is located.
However, when EACC detectives arrived at the Upper Hill office on June 23, 2020, they were met with resistance from Sonko's supporters, who refused to let them in.
Accompanied by valuers, the detectives showed the warrant and explained that they had orders to conduct a valuation on the property. They also had a letter from EACC Assistant Director Nthiga, requesting the Kenya Railway Staff Retirement Benefits Scheme (KRSRBS) to appoint an officer to join in the valuation process.
Despite the warrant, the detectives were unable to gain access to the property and were forced to leave after a three-hour stand-off.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko later denied that his supporters had blocked the detectives, saying that they were welcome to conduct their investigations without any showmanship.
"The officers are welcome to conduct their investigations without any showmanship. Let them follow the right procedure and come back," Sonko said.
EACC Communications Director Yassin Amaro clarified that the detectives were not on an eviction mission, but rather an inspection.
"It was not an eviction but an inspection," Amaro said.
