Court acquits Sonko of money laundering charges in ongoing graft case

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko speaks to press at Milimani court precints/HANDOUT

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been acquitted of a money laundering charge in an ongoing criminal case. 

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, Magistrate Isabellah Barasa found that the prosecution had not established a case sufficient to sustain the money laundering charge against Sonko and his co-accused. 

The charge, which had been brought under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA), was dismissed at the close of the prosecution’s case.

“The court has reviewed the evidence on record and considered the submissions by all parties,” the magistrate said, noting that ten prosecution witnesses had testified during the trial. 

“I am acquitting on count three,” she ruled, referring to the money laundering charge.

However, the court found that there was sufficient basis for the accused persons to be placed on their defence in relation to the irregular award of tenders during his tenure at City Hall.

"I am placing the accused person on their defence in respect to count 1,2,4 and 5."

The prosecution alleges that the tendering process was manipulated, resulting in the unlawful awarding of contracts and possible loss of public funds.

Alongside Sonko, the other accused persons in the case are Fredrick Odhiambo, Anthony Otieno, and ROG Security Limited. 

All four have consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The former county boss has maintained that the charges against him are politically motivated.

In her ruling, Barasa outlined that she had considered two sets of submissions filed on behalf of Sonko, as well as submissions from counsel representing the other accused persons. 

After weighing the evidence, legal arguments, and relevant authorities cited, the court determined that while the money laundering count could not stand, the threshold had been met for the remaining charges to proceed to the defence stage.

The matter is scheduled for mention on June 4, where the proceedings will be conducted physically.

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko had earlier in February 2026 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.

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