This archive report was first published on 9 December 2019.
On 12 March 1998, Mike Sonko was convicted for failing to appear in court in three cases in Mombasa, where he was sentenced to pay fines and serve imprisonment in default.
According to the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Sonko's history of escaping prison makes him a flight risk, and releasing him on bail would interfere with the ongoing investigations and case at Nairobi City County.
Gitonga Riungu and James Kihara, representing the DPP, opposed Sonko's release, citing concerns that he would intimidate and interfere with witnesses who are junior officers and employees of the Nairobi County government.
‘Sonko has on several occasions threatened officers at EACC during the investigations and releasing him will interfere with the investigations/case at Nairobi City County,' Kihara said.
On 27 August 2019, EACC issued an invitation to Sonko to record statements relating to the garbage tenders at Nairobi County, which he appeared for and offered crucial documents.
Miller, representing Sonko, denied claims that Sonko was fleeing and stated that he was a man of means who could have fled if he wanted to, but instead used a public highway.
‘This was a man who was going about his own business. Sonko is a man of means if he wanted to flee he could have. You can't run away using a public highway,' Miller said.
