Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko Joins Wiper Party as a Life Member

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has decamped to the Wiper Democratic Movement party ahead of the August elections.

Sonko, who was previously a member of the ruling Jubilee Party, joined the Kalonzo Musyoka-led party as a life member on Friday.

He was welcomed to the party by Musyoka and a host of other Wiper officials led by Chairperson Chirau Ali Mwakwere.

Sonko, who was elected as Nairobi's second governor in 2017, was impeached from office in December 2020 on grounds of gross violation of the constitution, abuse of office, misconduct, and crimes against national law.

He has been in the political cold since his ouster and is yet to declare his future political ambitions. The 47-year-old politician previously served as the county's senator between 2013 and 2017, and MP for Makadara from 2010 to 2013. 

Earlier this month, Sonko and immediate members of his family were banned from setting foot in the United States over alleged involvement in corruption during his tenure as Nairobi governor.

The US State Department declared Sonko a persona non grata alongside his wife Primrose Mbuvi, his daughters Agnes Saumu Mbuvi and Salma Wanjiru Mbuvi, and his underage son.

The ban was announced by Counselor for Public Affairs at the US Embassy in Nairobi Eric Watnik on behalf of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. 

Watnik said the US had obtained credible information that Sonko was involved in graft, including bribery, irregular awarding of tenders, and undermining the rule of law.

“We determined that he received bribes in kickbacks in exchange for irregular awarding of contracts to his associates for personal gains,” said Watnik.