This archive report was first published on 9 December 2019.
On a wet Monday morning, a convoy of cars navigated through the streets of Nairobi's Central Business District, creating a security ring around the Upper Hill area where the Milimani Law Courts are situated. The court session began at 9am, with Sonko's defence team making an application for his bail hearing, which was later ruled to take place at 2.30pm.
Accompanied by several county government officials, Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko entered the courtroom clad in a black baseball cap, a military-themed hoodie, and a black T-shirt. He would occasionally smile as he consulted with his lawyer, Cecil Miller, who introduced his colleagues ahead of the plea taking.
Among Sonko's defence team are Mutula Kilonzo Jr, Harrisson Kinyanjui, Daniel Maanzo, Kipchumba Murkomen, George Kithi, Kwanga Mboya, Alphonce Mutinda, and Phillip Kaindu. The governor and his co-accused have pleaded not guilty to several corruption and other economic crimes charges.
According to the charge sheet, Sonko and the directors of Web Tribe Ltd are accused of corruption and conspiracy to defraud the county government of Sh24 million. The governor is also accused of conflict of interest, receiving Sh1 million from Yira Enterprises in deals involving hiring heavy equipment from the county government.
Additionally, Sonko faces charges of money laundering and receiving proceeds of crime from Hardi Enterprises Ltd and Toddi Civil Engineering Ltd associated with Antony Mwaura Ng'ang'a and Rose Njeri Ng'ang'a.
