Nairobi, Kenya – Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko on Thursday defended himself in a Ksh.20 million corruption case, telling the court that the charges against him are politically motivated and stem from his public opposition to corruption and land grabbing.
Testifying before trial magistrate Charles Ondieki, Sonko alleged that his prosecution was orchestrated by powerful individuals and senior officials threatened by his firm stand against the illegal acquisition of public land, particularly land belonging to public schools.
Alleged Bribery Attempts
Sonko told the court that during his tenure in public office, well-connected individuals attempted to compromise senior county officials by offering bribes of up to Ksh.5 million each to facilitate land grabbing schemes.
He further claimed that the same individuals later visited his office and offered him Ksh.8 million, an offer he says he rejected before reporting the matter to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
“I declined the money and reported the matter, yet I am the one seated here as an accused person,” Sonko testified.
Evidence and Testimony
Sonko said he intends to rely on video evidence showing him publicly opposing corruption to demonstrate that his actions were motivated by a genuine commitment to protect public property, defend the Constitution, and uphold the rule of law.
He recounted how, despite reporting bribery attempts, he later found himself entangled in court proceedings allegedly influenced by the same individuals he had exposed. He also cited incidents where fresh court orders were obtained against public schools, leading to his enjoinment in disputes as an interested party.
Kamukunji Secondary School Incident
The court also heard testimony regarding Kamukunji Secondary School, where Sonko alleged that senior county officials colluded with a private developer to illegally allocate part of the school’s land for office blocks.
Sonko said that in June 2013, while serving as Nairobi Senator, he received a letter from the school’s principal seeking help to repossess the playground. He claimed he wrote to then Governor Evans Kidero and reported the matter to the EACC after rejecting another alleged bribery attempt.
Claims of Political Sabotage
Sonko further alleged that powerful forces opposed to his anti-corruption agenda held meetings at State House to plot his political downfall by mobilising senior county officials against him.
He said his administration enforced a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, terminating revenue collection contracts and dismissing cashiers implicated in graft. According to Sonko, millions of shillings were recovered from cashiers’ drawers after interference with automated revenue systems was uncovered.
“Powerful individuals who were against my policies to develop Nairobi County, build new markets, improve infrastructure, and uplift the social wellbeing of Nairobians ganged up to bring me down,” Sonko told the magistrate.
He also blamed his impeachment on political sabotage, claiming elected leaders were influenced to pass votes of no confidence, paving the way for looting of revenue-generating projects.
Current Charges
Sonko is facing charges related to the alleged misuse of Ksh.20 million public funds. He is jointly charged alongside ROG Security Limited and Anthony Ombok, both of whom have denied the charges.
The former governor was put on his defence after a High Court decision overturned his earlier acquittal, ruling that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had established a prima facie case requiring Sonko, Ombok, and the company to answer the charges.
Conclusion
As the hearing continues, Sonko has urged the court to consider the totality of evidence and testimonies from former executive members and senior revenue officers who, he says, support his administration’s anti-graft stance. The case remains one of the most closely watched corruption trials in Kenya, with significant implications for governance and accountability in Nairobi County.
