This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
On December 10, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko Mbuvi's aides were accused of doctoring a CCTV footage to blackmail EACC Director of Investigations Abdi Ahmed Mohamud.
According to court documents filed by Ahmed, the governor's aides obtained the footage from Heron Portico Hotel, which Sonko frequents for lunch, swimming, and gym. They then doctored the clip to insinuate that Ahmed was receiving a bribe from former Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Abdi Guyo.
“The said CCTV footage has evidently and deliberately been altered to create unwarranted speculation and innuendo to blackmail, intimidate and or stop the ongoing investigations. I can confirm under oath that no amount of blackmail and intimidation shall cause me to unduly stop, delay or compromise me from carrying out my lawful duties,” said Ahmed.
Hotel manager Phillip Anyona attached a statement to the court papers detailing what happened. According to Anyona, his boss Neeraj Khumar called him inquiring about how some of the hotel CCTV footage was leaked to an outsider. Khumar said their client, named as Abdi Mohammed, had complained that the footage was malicious.
Anyona explained that on September 20, 2019, Nyalle Munga called him through WhatsApp requesting if Nairobi governor could be allowed to watch a CCTV footage. Two days later, Sonko called him using a United Arab Emirates number requesting if he could send Nairobi County Chief of Staff named Mr Mugo to come and view the CCTV.
“Mr Sonko informed me through the WhatsApp call that he had information that a lot of money was distributed in our hotel to impeach him and thus wanted to view some CCTV footage. Mr Mugo was known to me and I accepted that he sends him over to view the clips,” explained Anyona.
According to the hotel manager, Sonko sent Mugo on September 23, 2019, at around 11.20am but with another unknown person. The three men proceeded to the security office and proceeded to view the CCTV footage.
“I wish to state that I showed the CCTV clips to Mr Mugo and the other person whom I do not know out of the trust for the Governor Mr Sonko and I wanted to dispute allegations that there was money being distributed at Heron Hotel to destabilise Nairobi County,” said Anyona.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko wants the court to order Ahmed to step aside to pave the way for investigations for alleged corruption and economic crimes. Sonko accuses the EACC director of engaging in a witch hunt and being at the centre of his current downfall.
