Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has defended himself in an ongoing Ksh.20 million corruption case, telling the court that the charges against him are linked to his outspoken opposition to corruption and illegal land grabbing. While testifying before Trial Magistrate Charles Ondieki on Thursday, Sonko claimed his prosecution was driven by influential individuals and senior officials who felt threatened by his efforts to protect public land, particularly property belonging to public schools.
Sonko told the court that during his tenure in public office, powerful figures allegedly attempted to bribe senior county officials with sums of up to Ksh.5 million to facilitate illegal land acquisitions. He further alleged that the same individuals later approached him directly, offering Ksh.8 million to support the schemes, an offer he says he rejected before reporting the matter to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
In his defence, the former governor said he intends to present video recordings showing him publicly opposing corruption. He argued that the footage demonstrates his actions were guided by a commitment to safeguarding public resources, upholding the Constitution, and defending the rule of law, not personal gain or vendetta.
Sonko testified that after reporting alleged bribery attempts, he later became entangled in legal disputes connected to contested public land. He said that even after successfully challenging earlier court orders affecting public land, new orders were later issued involving a public school, prompting his inclusion in the case as an interested party. Efforts to seek parliamentary intervention, he claimed, bore no fruit, alleging that a committee assigned to the matter had been compromised, though he maintained he eventually succeeded in overturning the disputed orders.
Kamukunji Secondary School Allegations
The court also heard testimony regarding a separate land dispute involving Kamukunji Secondary School. Sonko alleged that a private developer, working with senior county officials, attempted to irregularly acquire part of the school’s land to construct office blocks. He said that on June 27, 2013, while serving as Nairobi Senator, he received a letter from the school principal requesting help to reclaim the playground. Sonko told the court he wrote to then-Governor Evans Kidero and reported the matter to the EACC after declining another alleged bribe.
Claims of Political Sabotage
In his testimony, Sonko further alleged that powerful political actors opposed to his anti-corruption drive held meetings — including some at State House — to orchestrate his political downfall. He argued that his administration had implemented a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, including:
- Terminating flawed revenue collection contracts
- Dismissing cashiers implicated in graft
- Recovering millions of shillings from compromised revenue systems
According to Sonko, these reforms angered entrenched interests benefiting from county revenue streams.
Impeachment and Political Pressure
The former governor also linked his impeachment to political interference, claiming elected leaders were influenced to support votes of no confidence. He alleged this created opportunities for the misappropriation of funds tied to county development and revenue projects.
Charges and Co-Accused
Sonko is facing charges related to the alleged misuse of Ksh.20 million in public funds. He is jointly charged alongside ROG Security Limited and Anthony Ombok, both of whom have denied the allegations. The defence hearing follows a High Court ruling that overturned Sonko’s earlier acquittal, finding that the Director of Public Prosecutions had established a prima facie case requiring the accused persons to mount a defence.
