Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has received partial relief after a Nairobi court cleared him of money laundering charges. The court ruled that prosecutors did not present enough evidence to directly connect him to the accusations.
In its decision, the court stated that after reviewing all submissions from both the prosecution and the defence, it found no sufficient grounds to sustain count three, which related to money laundering. As a result, Sonko was acquitted on that specific charge.
However, the ruling did not fully clear the former governor of all legal troubles. The court determined that he still has a case to answer over allegations involving irregular award of tenders during his time in office at Nairobi City County Government.
According to the court, evidence presented by the prosecution suggested that the tendering process may have been interfered with and manipulated, resulting in possible loss of public funds.
The case centers on the hiring of heavy equipment worth KSh14 million in 2018, when Sonko was serving as Nairobi Governor.
Following the decision, Sonko will now be required to defend himself against the remaining procurement-related charge as the case moves to the next phase of hearing.
Despite winning part of the case, Sonko has repeatedly insisted in recent months that the charges facing him are politically driven. He has claimed that many of the cases were created because of his firm stand against corruption and misuse of county resources.
Earlier this year, while appearing before Magistrate Charles Ondieki in relation to a separate KSh20 million graft case, Sonko argued that the prosecution was designed to intimidate and silence him.
He further alleged that certain influential individuals who opposed his leadership organized meetings at State House Nairobi, where senior county officials were invited to plan his removal from office.
Sonko told the court that some powerful figures were unhappy with his efforts to improve Nairobi through development projects, construction of new markets, infrastructure upgrades, and social welfare programs aimed at helping residents.
During the same proceedings, he also revealed that while serving as governor, he cancelled contracts within the county revenue department and dismissed cashiers who were allegedly linked to the KSh20 million corruption scandal.
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