Sonko testifies in Ksh.20M graft case, says powerful individuals behind it

Testifying before trial magistrate Charles Ondieki, Sonko said his prosecution was orchestrated by powerful individuals and senior officials threatened by his firm stand against the illegal acquisition of public land, particularly belonging to public schools.

He told the court that during his time in public office, several well-connected individuals sought to compromise senior county officials by offering bribes of up to Ksh.5 million each to facilitate land grabbing schemes. 

Sonko alleged that the same individuals later visited his office and offered him Ksh.8 million, an offer he claims to have rejected before reporting the matter to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

“I declined the money and reported the matter, yet I am the one seated here as an accused person,” Sonko told the court.

Sonko said he intends to rely on video evidence showing him publicly opposing corruption to demonstrate that his actions were not motivated by malice, personal vendetta, or personal gain, but by a genuine commitment to protect public property, defend the Constitution, and uphold the rule of law.

He testified that despite reporting the alleged bribery attempt, he later found himself entangled in court proceedings, which he believes were influenced by the same individuals he had exposed. He further told the court that after successfully moving to court to set aside earlier orders relating to disputed public land, fresh orders were obtained against a public school, leading to his enjoinment in the matter as an interested party.

According to Sonko, efforts to seek intervention through Parliament were unsuccessful, alleging that a parliamentary committee tasked with addressing the issue had been compromised by the alleged land grabbers. He said he nonetheless succeeded in having the disputed court orders set aside.

The court also heard testimony relating to a separate incident involving Kamukunji Secondary School. Sonko alleged that an individual, working in collusion with senior county government officials, attempted to illegally allocate part of the school’s land to a private developer intending to construct office blocks within the school compound.

He told the court that on June 27, 2013, while serving as the Nairobi Senator, he received a letter from the school’s principal seeking assistance in repossessing the school playground. Sonko said he subsequently wrote to then Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and reported the matter to the EACC after rejecting another alleged bribery attempt.

In his testimony, Sonko further claimed that powerful forces opposed to his anti-corruption agenda held meetings at State House and allegedly plotted his political downfall by mobilising senior county officials against him.

He said his administration enforced a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, terminating revenue collection contracts and dismissing cashiers implicated in graft. Sonko told the court that millions of shillings were recovered from cashiers’ drawers after interference with automated revenue systems was uncovered.

“Powerful individuals who were against my policies to develop Nairobi County, build new markets, improve infrastructure, and uplift the social wellbeing of Nairobians ganged up to bring me down,” Sonko told the magistrate.

He also blamed his impeachment on political sabotage, saying elected leaders were influenced to pass votes of no confidence, creating room for looting of revenue-generating projects within the county.

Sonko urged the court to consider the totality of the evidence and testimonies from former executive members and senior revenue officers who, he said, defended his administration’s anti-graft stance.

The former governor is facing charges related to the alleged misuse of Ksh.20 million public funds. He is jointly charged alongside ROG Security Limited and Anthony Ombok, who have both denied the charges.

Sonko was put on his defence following a High Court decision that overturned his earlier acquittal, with the court ruling that the Director of Public Prosecutions had established a prima facie case sufficient to require Sonko, Ombok, and the company to answer the charges.

The hearing continues.