Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been cleared of terrorism charges after the Kahawa West Law Court sanctioned the prosecution’s request to dismiss the case.
The decision came on Wednesday, as Principal Magistrate Daniel Kiage approved the application for withdrawal submitted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
“Having reviewed the application by the prosecution, I hereby declare the matter withdrawn under section 87A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC),” Magistrate Kiage stated in his ruling.
Following the dismissal, the defense sought the return of the cash bail deposited for the accused individuals.
The charges against Sonko, filed in 2021, accused him of recruiting individuals for the purpose of committing terrorist acts, a violation under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Sonko faced these charges alongside Clifford Ochieng Ouko and Benjamin Onyango Odhiambo, both of whom had also been implicated in the case.
The prosecution alleged that Sonko, along with other unnamed individuals, had knowingly recruited persons to engage in terrorist activities within the country on or before January 1, 2021.
He was additionally charged with possessing items intended for the facilitation of terrorism, specifically military attire, which was found in his possession on January 31, 2021, in Athi River, Machakos County.
The accusations against Ouko included the possession of military uniforms, namely a NATO combat short, a Super Sick combat shirt, and a pair of military desert camouflage trousers, intended for use in terrorist acts. These items were reportedly found on February 3, 2021, in Komarock Phase 2, Nairobi County.
Similarly, Odhiambo faced charges for possessing a military camouflage jacket on or before February 3, 2021, allegedly for the purpose of facilitating terrorist activities.
Ouko and Odhiambo had been released on cash bail of Ksh 200,000 each, while Sonko had been granted bail at Ksh 500,000.
Sonko expressed relief and satisfaction following the dismissal of terrorism charges against him.
Speaking to reporters outside Kahawa Law Court, Sonko characterized the allegations as politically motivated and emphasized his commitment to moving forward without holding grudges against his accusers.
“I am relieved and grateful for the court’s decision. These charges were politically driven from the start. Despite being a former Governor invited to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, I found myself falsely accused of terrorism,” Sonko explained, reiterating his long-standing assertion of innocence.
He also lamented the impact of the charges on his co-accused, who he described as collateral damage in a politically charged campaign against him.
“My co-accused suffered unnecessarily due to their association with me. They were simply county employees, not politicians. Unfortunately, they were dragged into this mess because of my political position.”
