This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
On December 6, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was arrested at a roadblock in Voi while attempting to flee to Mombasa, just hours after orders were issued by Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji.
According to reports, Sonko was heading to Mombasa from Nairobi in a bid to escape arrest. However, he was intercepted by police at the Ndara roadblock and subsequently airlifted to Nairobi.
A video emerged online showing the drama that ensued at Ikanga Airstrip as police attempted to airlift the besieged governor. In the video, Sonko is seen resisting arrest and engaging officers in heated verbal exchanges.
He is seen pushing and shoving more than five officers as he resists boarding a plane to Wilson Airport, Nairobi. However, he was eventually overpowered and forced into the aircraft.
The chopper ferrying Sonko touched down at Nairobi's Wilson Airport at around 2:30 pm. He was taken to the headquarters of the anti-graft agency under tight security.
Kenya's public prosecutor had ordered the immediate arrest and arraignment of the county boss for alleged corruption. Sonko and other officials are expected to appear before the anti-corruption court to face charges over the loss of Sh357 million.
Other City Hall officials expected in court include county secretary Peter Mbugua and members of the tender committee, among others. The DPP also ordered the arrest of directors of various companies that had been contracted by the county government for various services and are liable for money laundering to a tune of Sh24.1 million.
