This archive report was first published on 7 December 2019.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko's secret escape plan was foiled by his own phone, which betrayed him and led detectives to his location on December 6, 2019.
According to sources, Sonko had orchestrated a plan to escape Kenya and seek refuge in Tanzania after learning of his impending arrest, which was ordered by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, two days prior.
With a network of friends in the intelligence and EACC, Sonko was informed of his looming arrest and decided to flee, but he didn't leave his phone behind.
"He realized he was on his own and that's when he decided to run away but he didn't leave his phone behind," a close aide revealed.
After a secretive journey to his coastal base, Sonko was accompanied by two trusted aides, Mathias Owino and Peterson Kimenye, who were tasked with smuggling him to Tanzania.
However, Sonko's plan was short-lived as he briefly switched on his phone to check his WhatsApp messages and Facebook chats, which led to his phone signal being picked up by detectives in Nairobi.
Quick alerts were sent to police commands in Mombasa and the coastal region, and Sonko was eventually arrested at a roadblock in Voi.
Despite his claims of innocence, Sonko's phone had given him away, and he was airlifted to Nairobi after his supporters became rowdy at the Voi SGR station.
