Sonko says 'powerful interests' targeted him over anti-graft crusade in Sh20m graft case

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko before an Anti-Corruption court in Milimani/JAMES GICHIGI

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has told a Nairobi court that powerful interests targeted him during his long-standing anti-corruption crusade.

Sonko made the revelations as as he took to the stand in his defence in the Sh20 million graft case.

The former county boss and his co-accused, businessman Erastus Ombok, were placed on their defence in February 2025 after the court ruled that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against them.

The two face multiple charges, including abuse of office, conflict of interest, money laundering, and acquisition of proceeds of crime.

The charges stem from allegations that Sonko extorted Sh20 million in connection with county government dealings during his tenure as Nairobi governor, allegations which he has dismissed

Appearing before a magistrate’s court on Thursday, Sonko testified in his defence in the Sh20 million graft case, insisting that his opposition to corruption did not begin during his tenure as Nairobi Governor but dates back to his time in Parliament.

“I have fought corruption fearlessly and without compromise,” Sonko told the court.

“My war against corruption did not begin yesterday. It started when I was a Member of Parliament and continued during my service in the Senate.”

Sonko said corruption was deeply entrenched within the former City Council of Nairobi before the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution and later persisted under the county government system.

He claimed that land grabbing, cartels, and senior officials conspired to illegally dispose of public assets, particularly public land.

As a legislator charged with oversight responsibilities, Sonko said he could not tolerate the rot.

He told the court that his actions angered influential individuals and networks whose interests were threatened by his interventions.

“Regrettably, powerful individuals and networks whose interests were threatened by my actions decided to fight back,” he said.

To support his defence, Sonko sought to rely on video clips and other materials already in the public domain, which he said demonstrate his consistent efforts to expose corruption during his time in Parliament.

He argued that the evidence would show he acted to protect public resources, uphold the rule of law, and defend the Constitution.

One of the video clips shown in court captured Sonko while serving as a Member of Parliament, addressing the National Assembly over an alleged land-grabbing scheme involving a public primary school in Westlands.

In the clip, Sonko accused private developers and senior officials of conspiring to seize public land meant for the school.

He told the court that the alleged land grabbers attempted to bribe him to stop opposing the scheme.

According to Sonko, he was offered Sh8 million, an offer he said he rejected and reported to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

“By the time I raised the issue in Parliament, an obtained court order was already in favour of the grabbers,” Sonko said, adding that he sought to be enjoined in the High Court case to challenge the decision.

He claimed that the court order was eventually set aside following his intervention and legal action.

Sonko further cited other instances in which he said he confronted corruption and abuse of office, arguing that his record shows a pattern of opposing graft rather than participating in it.

The hearing continues as the court considers Sonko’s defence and the evidence he has presented to support his claims.