This archive report was first published on 11 December 2019.
On December 11, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was taken to the Milimani Law Courts in an ambulance for a bail hearing, despite being sick. The move sparked criticism from Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti, who questioned why Sonko was brought to court when he could have been excused due to his health condition.
Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, representing the governor, claimed that the decision to bring Sonko to court was informed by media reports that had painted the governor in a bad light. However, Ogoti was not convinced, stating that each individual right of an accused is considered singularly, even if they are charged together.
“Why did you force an accused out of the hospital? An accused who is sick?” Ogoti questioned Murkomen, who attempted to explain but was cut short.
“No, I am asking because he is on his feet,” Ogoti continued, before Murkomen claimed that the decision was taken to avoid taking chances.
Despite the criticism, Sonko was eventually released on a Ksh15 million cash bail or Ksh30 million bond and a surety of a similar amount.
