This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
On December 6, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko found himself in a dramatic situation in Voi Town as detectives attempted to arrest him.
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Sonko was trying to evade a police roadblock when he was arrested.
However, Sonko refuted claims he was trying to escape, stating that the EACC was playing politics. He claimed he was on his way to Mombasa to attend a conference.
“Reports from EACC that I was arrested while trying to run away are another proof that the body is so much interested in playing politics,” Sonko said in a statement from City Hall.
Despite his claims, Sonko was later transferred to Nairobi to face charges of corruption, abuse of office, and money laundering. The EACC stated that the crimes date back to as early as July 2017, before he was even elected governor.
As the drama unfolded, a video went viral on Twitter showing Sonko being forcibly handcuffed and hurling insults at one of the police officers.
One of the police officers was seen getting agitated and wanting to physically confront Sonko, but his colleagues intervened to restrain him.
It remains to be seen how this saga will unfold in court, with Sonko warning the EACC that he has a damning dossier against it and vowing to fight the charges.
