Kenya’s public prosecutor on Friday ordered the immediate arrest of Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on suspicion of economic crimes, reported Reuters.
Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji said investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) had yielded sufficient evidence to sustain the charges against Sonko. He also ordered for the arrest of county government officials whom he said he had evidence to prosecute for various economic crimes including unlawful acquisition of property and money laundering related to Sonko’s alleged crimes.
Officers from Nairobi County Government who facilitated or benefitted from the irregular procurement and payments were listed as County Secretary Peter Mbugua, Head Supply Chain Management Patrick Mwangangi, Negotiation, Tender Opening and Evaluation Committee members Edwin Kariuki, Lawrence Mwangi, Preston Mwandiki and Clerical Officers Wambua Ndaka and Andrew Nyasiego.
“I have ordered for the immediate arrest and arraignment of Sonko and other officials for the crimes of conflict of interest arising from having received money from the county of Nairobi while serving as governor, unlawful acquisition of public property, money laundering and other economic crimes,” Haji said.
The DPP said Sonko even resorted to threatening law enforcement officers carrying out their constitutional mandate. He said the EACC investigation has found numerous instances of criminal conduct and a general disregard of the law by the governor and others being charged.
“The action of the accused showed a blatant disregard of the laws,” Haji said.
He even warned the public against “being used as human shields” by any of those ordered arrested. Last month, when Sonko reported to Kenya’s anti-corruption office for questioning, his supporters protested outside the office and police used teargas to disperse demonstrators.
The accused are expected to appear before the anti-corruption court on Friday to face charges over the loss of Sh357 million.
