This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
On Friday, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's application for anticipatory bail was rejected by a city court, forcing him to spend the weekend in police custody.
The application, filed by Sonko's legal team led by Cecil Miller, sought to prevent his arrest by the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission detectives over allegations of integrity issues.
According to Miller, Sonko does not pose a flight risk and should have been granted bail. However, the court disagreed, and the matter will now be heard on Monday.
On Friday afternoon, Sonko was arrested in Voi, hours after the Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji ordered his arrest and prosecution over claims of involvement in graft.
It is alleged that Sonko, along with senior county officials and private entities, benefited from irregular procurement and payments amounting to Sh 357.4 million.
He faces charges including willful failure to comply with procurement laws, conflict of interest, and abuse of office, as well as unlawful acquisition of public property, money laundering, and acquisition of proceeds of crime.
