This archive report was first published on 18 December 2019.
On December 7, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was arrested at a roadblock in Voi over allegations of embezzling Sh357 million of county funds.
He was expected to be charged with assaulting Coast Regional Police Commander Rashid Yakub during his dramatic arrest, as well as resisting arrest and disruption of peace.
However, Sonko's team of eight lawyers led by Cecil Miller told Senior Resident Magistrate Frederick Mayaka Nyakundi that the Governor is still unwell and on bed rest, which is why he did not show up in court.
The prosecution agreed to allow Sonko to heal fully before being charged, and the court granted their request for the Governor to present himself at Voi police station before the mention date.
According to the Police Act 2011, assaulting a police officer on duty is punishable under section 103.
On December 9, 2019, Sonko was arraigned at Milimani law courts, Nairobi, where he denied 19 counts of corruption. He was released on a Sh15 million cash bail.
