Sonko Accused of Paying for Wife, Daughter US Trip Using County Funds

Embattled Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko could be investigated over allegations that he used county funds to pay for his wife and daughter’s trip to the United States.

Governor Sonko’s wife Primrose Mbuvi and daughter Saumu Mbuvi are said to have spent Sh2.4 million during the trip to New York in 2018, according to Kitusuru MCA Alvin Palapala. The two attended the UN’s 62nd Commission on Status of Women conference from March 12th to 23rd.

MCA Palapala wants the county assembly's Budget and Appropriation Committee to shed light on the expenditure.

“Article 201 of the Constitution on principles of public finance provides that public money shall be used in a prudent and responsible way. The expenditure included payment of tickets, hotel accommodation and Sh800,000 per diem,” Palapala said.

Primrose and Saumu are said to have traveled first class to New York on Emirates Airlines on March 10th. Saumu returned on March 17th on the same airline.

But Governor Sonko has rubbished the claims, saying that he used his own money to pay for his wife and daughter’s trip.

“My attention has been drawn to unsubstantiated claims made yesterday by the Kitisuru Ward MCA, Hon. Alvin Palapala, that the Nairobi City County First Lady and my daughter Saumu Mbuvi made an irregular trip to New York in March 2018 at the expense of the taxpayers. First, I wish to clarify that her inclusion, and that of my daughter, in the said trip were sanctioned by none other than the Head of Public Service, Dr. Joseph Kinyua,” Sonko said in a statement.

He added: “As such, she was entitled to a fully-funded trip by the Nairobi City County government, like any other delegate, to attend the 62nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 2018). However, I personally catered for the transport, accommodation and related costs for both my wife and daughter. It is therefore preposterous and ignorant for the said Member of the Nairobi City County Assembly to make allegations that he cannot prove. If anything, I would like to challenge him to provide any proof of payment of per diem to either my wife or daughter.”

In a letter dated March 7th, 2018, the Head Public Service Joseph Kinyua cleared both Primrose and Saumu to travel to the US.

Nairobi Speaker Beatrice Elachi on Wednesday directed the Budget and Public Accounts committees to investigate the matter and report to the House next week.