This archive report was first published on 2 August 2019.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has agreed to step down amid corruption allegations he made against Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris.
On Thursday, the anti-graft agency EACC summoned Sonko to record a statement over his accusations, which date back to June when he claimed Passaris had claimed a double per diem from the county government and in Parliament for a trip she made to New York in March 2019.
According to Sonko, he would present himself to EACC immediately after the memorial service of the late Bomet Governor, Joyce Laboso and the late MP for Kibra Ken Okoth.
"I acknowledge receipt of summons by the EACC relating to alleged utterances I made, directed to Hon. Esther Passaris, and her unpaid per diem for a trip she made to New York in March 2019 despite the county having paid for her air ticket to New York and before that Vienna," Sonko wrote on Facebook.
He further stated that he is ready to step aside to allow the anti-corruption agency to complete its investigations.
"I want to categorically state that, in the event, it is established that I have a case to answer before the law, I am ready to step aside to allow the EACC complete investigations and determination of the matter," he stated.
On the summons, Sonko noted that it would have corruption cartels in Nairobi celebrating.
"I know many cartels will celebrate this move and think of coming back to swindle public funds but poleni sana I shall still be monitoring all the projects I initiated closely during my absence from office. God bless you, God bless Nairobi, God bless Kenya," Sonko said.
