This archive report was first published on 9 December 2019.
On December 6, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was dramatically arrested after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji ordered his apprehension.
Just three days later, on December 9, 2019, Sonko appeared at the Milimani law courts to answer graft-related charges. He was accompanied by a team of 12 defence lawyers, led by Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen, Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior, and other prominent lawyers.
According to a charge sheet, Sonko was accused of more than 10 corruption and abuse of office offences. The governor's arraignment was met with heavy security deployment in Nairobi, with police presence being witnessed hours before the court proceedings.
Despite the charges, Sonko received overwhelming support from various politicians, including Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, who attended the court hearing.
