This archive report was first published on 12 December 2019.
On December 12, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was noticeably absent from the Jamhuri Day celebrations at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, a venue where he has traditionally participated in national events.
However, in a seeming contradiction, Sonko took to social media to wish Kenyans a Happy Jamhuri Day, tweeting, "I am happy to join the rest of Kenyans in marking the 56th Jamhuri Day celebrations… To all Nairobi residents and Kenyans at large I wish y'all a happy Jamhuri Day."
— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) December 12, 2019
Just days prior, Sonko had been released from Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, where he had spent two days after being arrested in Voi to answer to corruption charges. He was initially held at the EACC cells over the weekend before being transferred to the prison.
Following his release on a Sh30 million bond with a surety of a similar amount or Sh15 million cash bail, Magistrate Douglas Ogoti barred Sonko from accessing his office.
