This archive report was first published on 9 December 2019.
On December 9, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was set to spend two more nights in custody at the Industrial Area remand as the court prepared to make a ruling on his bail on Wednesday at 11 am.
The prosecution, represented by Gitonga Riungu and James Kihara, opposed Sonko's release on bail, citing his history of escaping from prison. In 1998, Sonko was convicted for failing to appear in court over three cases in Mombasa and was sentenced to pay fines and serve time in prison.
According to the prosecutor, Sonko had escaped from lawful custody while being treated at the Coast General Hospital, only to be rearrested later. The prosecution also noted that Sonko had declined to present himself before the Chief Magistrate court for plea taking, leading to an arrest warrant being issued against him.
"It's in the interest of the public that the court denies Sonko bail," Kihara argued. "The reasons I have given are compelling enough to deny him bail."
The prosecution also cited Sonko's use of his position as governor to interfere with investigations and intimidate witnesses. They argued that releasing him on bail would further jeopardize the ongoing investigations.
"This is a clear manifestation that Sonko is a flight risk," Kihara said.
