This archive report was first published on 6 December 2019.
Kenya's anti-graft agency has made a significant move in its fight against corruption, arresting Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on charges of economic crimes.
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Sonko was arrested on Friday and is being escorted to Nairobi to face charges in court.
He is accused, along with other county officials, of benefiting from irregular procurement and payments of Sh357 million.
Public prosecutor Noordin Haji said he had sufficient evidence to prosecute Sonko and other county officials for 'unlawful acquisition of public property, money laundering and other economic crimes.'
Sonko's arrest comes as Kenya battles to clamp down on rampant graft, with dozens of top executives and government officials charged since President Uhuru Kenyatta's 2017 re-election.
It was seen as a maverick move when, in 2017, the ruling party chose populist Mike Sonko as its candidate for Nairobi's gubernatorial poll, a controversial politician who has spent time in jail and has had to deny allegations of illegal activities, including drug trafficking.
Despite his flashy lifestyle, Sonko is beloved by poor Kenyans for running his personally branded fire trucks and ambulances to assist people living in the slums.
However, his opulent lifestyle has also drawn criticism, with him recently displaying his expensive gold jewelry and bright golden shoes on social media.
