Nairobi Governor Sonko to Spend Weekend in Police Cells

Embattled Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko will spend the weekend in police custody following his arrest on Friday morning over corruption allegations.

This comes after High Court Judge John Onyiego denied Governor Sonko anticipatory bail sought through his lawyers led by Cecil Miller Jnr. Justice Onyiengo said Sonko’s application will be heard on Monday to allow the prosecution to respond to his claims that his constitutional rights were violated during arrest on Friday.

This means Sonko, who is accused of misappropriating public funds amounting to Sh357 million, will spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday night in police cells.

Sonko was arrested at a roadblock in Voi, Taita Taveta County hours after Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji ordered for his arrest. He was nabbed by detectives from Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), who claimed he was going into hiding in Mombasa to avoid arrest.

Sonko will be charged with various graft-related charges alongside 15 other suspects including senior Nairobi County government officials.  The charges include willful failure to comply with the law relating to procurement, conflict of interest, abuse of office, unlawful acquisition of public property, money laundering and acquisition of proceeds of crime.