How Nairobi Governor Sonko Allegedly Used Sh4.6 Million to Fund Daughter’s Expensive Trip to the US

Under fire Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been accused of using taxpayers’ money to fund his daughter’s expensive trip to the US.

The allegation was made during Sonko’s impeachment trial before the Senate, which commenced on Wednesday and continued on Thursday.

Nairobi Assembly Minority Leader Michael Ogada, who was the first witness, detailed how the governor used county funds amounting to Sh4.6 million to facilitate his daughter, Saumu Mbuvi’s tour to New York in March 2018.

Ogada explained that Saumu went on the US trip disguised as county administrator purporting to attend the County First Lady’s conference held during the 62nd session of the Commission for the Status of Women 2018.

He told Senators that Saumu flew first class to New York, which cost the taxpayer Sh840,000, chartered a helicopter to fly her around the US city at a cost of Sh200,000, and later held a Sh220,000 outside party.

“Mr. Speaker on the same trip, besides flying first class, a chopper was hired for her at the cost Sh200,000 to go round New York City and see how beautiful the city was, using public funds. She then went ahead to have an outside party at the cost of Sh260,000,” Ogada testified.

“She was transferred from the First Lady’s conference to Philadelphia at a cost of Sh60,000. In Philadelphia, she went to visit tourist Sites at a cost of Sh100,000. She was accompanied by the media, who were paid, Sh120,000. While she was there, they were able to spend around Sh300,000 on ground transport,” he added.

The Embakasi MCA further claimed that a county official was forced to withdraw Sh2.6 million from the county coffers which was given to Sonko’s bodyguard to be used by her daughter.

“The Sh2.6 million used on per diem, a junior officer from the county was forced to go and withdraw it using her name in the company of a bodyguard of His Excellency the Governor. After withdrawing the cash, the bodyguard walked away with [money],” he said, adding that part of the money was wired directly to the airline which later processed the air ticket for Saumu.

The Senate is hearing Sonko’s impeachment case following his ouster on December 3rd.