Sonko Mounts Defence in Ksh 20 Million Corruption Case

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko on Thursday, February 5, 2026, mounted a spirited defense at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, claiming he is a victim of a political conspiracy designed to silence his “anti-graft crusade.”

Taking the stand as the 21st defense witness, Sonko told Trial Magistrate Hon. Charles Ondieki that the Sh20 million corruption charges against him were “politically engineered” by powerful individuals in the former regime.

He told the court that while he was in public office, several powerful people tried to influence senior county officials by bribing them with up to Ksh. 5 million each to support land-grabbing schemes.

Sonko claimed that the same people later came to his office and made him an offer of Ksh. 8 million, which he says he turned down before filing a complaint with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

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

The EACC stated that the video clips shown in court depicted Sonko leading efforts to stop the alleged grabbing of a school in Kamkunji and a water reservoir land in Loresho during his time as Nairobi Senator.

The defence argued that the charges against him were an example of “corruption fighting back” against his anti-graft stance.

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.

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

Sonko’s Charges

Due to alleged irregularities in the awarding of a revenue collection services contract for Nairobi City County during his tenure as governor, Sonko was initially charged in January 2020 with conflict of interest and related offenses.

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The prosecution’s case continued until July 2022, when it was closed, after the charges were changed in September 2020.

After concluding that the prosecution had not proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, the trial court cleared Sonko in December 2022. The prosecution, however, challenged the decision in the High Court, which ultimately decided that the trial magistrate had erred in deciding whether the accused had a case to answer by using the original charge sheet rather than the amended one.

The defence hearing commenced in May 2025, and today, Sonko took the stand as the 21st defence witness. The case continues.

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