This archive report was first published on 19 December 2019.
On December 12, 2019, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was charged with allegedly misappropriating 357 million shillings. In response, he has moved to court to challenge his indictment and investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
According to his application, Sonko wants the Chief Justice to appoint a three-judge bench to hear his case. However, he also wants three judges - Lady Justice Mumbi, Grace Ngenye, and John Onyiengo - to recuse themselves from hearing his case due to their previous rulings that stopped Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal and Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu from accessing their offices.
On March 25, 2020, the petition will be heard. Sonko's lawyer, Harrison Kinyanjui, argues that graft charges should not be used as a basis to bar elected leaders from office and that the anti-corruption court cannot act as an election court.
