This archive report was first published on 27 August 2019.
On August 25, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko appeared on K24 TV, refuting claims that he is among prominent Kenyans being sought by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and United States authorities in connection with drug trafficking.
According to Sonko, he has never been involved in the drugs trade and is not being sought by US authorities.
"First, I know there is a list circulating out there that has my name on it, claiming that I am wanted by Interpol. I don't deal in drugs. I wouldn't even know what drugs are if you put them in front of me. I am not wanted by Interpol or the US," he said.
He further explained that his possession of a five-year US visa and his recent invitation to the United Nations General Assembly to represent Africa are evidence that he is not a suspected drug trafficker.
"If you're a drug dealer and are implicated by the US or other countries, first you are barred from traveling and can't get a visa. Just the other day, a couple of months ago, I was invited to the United Nations General Assembly to represent Africa," Sonko noted.
He also claimed that he doesn't even know how cocaine looks like, saying, "I have never dealt in drugs. Even if you give me cocaine, salt, and sugar, I cannot point out which of the three is cocaine."
