This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
On December 6, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was taken into custody by detectives from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in Voi, while trying to evade arrest.
According to the EACC, Sonko was attempting to escape at a roadblock in Voi when the detectives apprehended him.
"EACC confirms that Nairobi City County Governor Mike Sonko Mbuvi has been arrested while escaping arrest at a road block in Voi and is being transferred to Nairobi to face charges of corruption and economic crime," the EACC tweeted.
He is expected to arrive in Nairobi, where he will be taken into police custody and arraigned in court.
Allegations against Sonko include benefiting from irregular procurement and payments amounting to Kshs.357,390,299 million.
These allegations come just hours after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DPP) head Noordin Haji ordered Sonko's arrest and prosecution over corruption claims.
Sonko will face charges including willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement, conflict of interest, and abuse of office.
Other charges include unlawful acquisition of public property, deceiving a principal, money laundering, and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
He will also face charges alongside senior county officials, private entities, and business entities accused of benefiting from suspect county funds.
The DPP revealed that the Sonko case has been challenging due to his attempts to interfere with the investigation and employ intimidation tactics.
