In a significant legal development, a Nairobi court has acquitted former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko of money laundering charges, marking a partial victory for the controversial politician. The ruling comes after the court concluded that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the allegations against him.
The court’s decision, however, does not absolve Sonko entirely. While he was cleared on the specific count of money laundering, the court held that he still has a case to answer regarding other charges tied to the alleged irregular award of tenders during his tenure as Nairobi Governor. These remaining charges allege that Sonko was involved in manipulating the tendering process to unlawfully benefit certain contractors, potentially causing significant losses to public funds.
“I have considered the submissions filed by both the prosecution and the defense. Upon reviewing the evidence, I am acquitting the accused on count three, which relates to money laundering,” the presiding judge stated in her ruling. “However, the accused is placed on defense regarding counts 1, 2, 4, and 5.”
The ruling reflects the complex nature of Sonko’s legal battles, which have spanned several years and involved multiple cases linked to alleged corruption and misuse of public resources. The prosecution had accused Sonko of orchestrating schemes to channel public money unlawfully through tender irregularities. According to authorities, the manipulation of the tendering process under Sonko’s administration resulted in contracts being awarded without proper vetting, potentially depriving Nairobi residents of fair and transparent public services.
Sonko has consistently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the charges against him are politically motivated. In court, he claimed that powerful individuals and senior officials orchestrated his prosecution in retaliation for his stance against illegal land acquisition schemes, including those targeting public schools. He further alleged that during his tenure, influential figures attempted to compromise county officials by offering bribes of up to Ksh.5 million each to facilitate land grabbing operations.
The former governor’s legal troubles date back to 2019 when he was first arrested in connection with a Ksh.357 million graft case. The case involved irregular payments and accusations of money laundering, setting the stage for years of high-profile courtroom battles. In January 2025, a magistrate ruled that Sonko had a case to answer in a separate set of charges related to a Ksh.20 million revenue tender at City Hall. That case, which included 11 counts, also touched on money laundering allegations.
Sonko’s defense has remained consistent throughout these proceedings, highlighting the political undertones he believes have influenced his prosecution. “This case is a targeted attack against me because I stood against powerful interests attempting to illegally acquire public land,” Sonko stated in court. “I have faced immense pressure and threats, but I have remained committed to transparency and public accountability.”
Legal experts note that while the acquittal on the money laundering charge is a significant win for Sonko, the ongoing tender irregularity cases are far from resolved. “Being acquitted of money laundering is a positive development, but the remaining charges concerning the mismanagement of public tenders carry serious implications,” said legal analyst Wanjiru Mwangi. “The court will now examine whether there is enough evidence to warrant a conviction on these counts, which could still result in severe penalties.”
The case has also attracted significant public attention due to Sonko’s high-profile political career and his role as Nairobi Governor from 2017 to 2022. Known for his flamboyant personality and controversial decisions, Sonko has often found himself at odds with other political leaders and public institutions. Despite the legal battles, he has maintained a strong support base among certain segments of Nairobi residents who praise his social welfare initiatives and outspoken leadership style.
As the legal proceedings continue, Sonko will be required to defend himself against the remaining charges in court. The prosecution will present additional evidence to substantiate claims of irregular tender awards, while the defense is expected to challenge the credibility and legality of that evidence. The outcome of these hearings could have lasting implications for Sonko’s political career and for perceptions of accountability and governance in Nairobi County.
For now, the partial acquittal offers a measure of relief for Sonko and his supporters, underscoring the challenges in prosecuting high-profile political figures in complex corruption cases. The Nairobi court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between law, politics, and public perception in Kenya’s ongoing fight against corruption.
The court’s decision, however, does not absolve Sonko entirely. While he was cleared on the specific count of money laundering, the court held that he still has a case to answer regarding other charges tied to the alleged irregular award of tenders during his tenure as Nairobi Governor. These remaining charges allege that Sonko was involved in manipulating the tendering process to unlawfully benefit certain contractors, potentially causing significant losses to public funds.
“I have considered the submissions filed by both the prosecution and the defense. Upon reviewing the evidence, I am acquitting the accused on count three, which relates to money laundering,” the presiding judge stated in her ruling. “However, the accused is placed on defense regarding counts 1, 2, 4, and 5.”
The ruling reflects the complex nature of Sonko’s legal battles, which have spanned several years and involved multiple cases linked to alleged corruption and misuse of public resources. The prosecution had accused Sonko of orchestrating schemes to channel public money unlawfully through tender irregularities. According to authorities, the manipulation of the tendering process under Sonko’s administration resulted in contracts being awarded without proper vetting, potentially depriving Nairobi residents of fair and transparent public services.
Sonko has consistently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the charges against him are politically motivated. In court, he claimed that powerful individuals and senior officials orchestrated his prosecution in retaliation for his stance against illegal land acquisition schemes, including those targeting public schools. He further alleged that during his tenure, influential figures attempted to compromise county officials by offering bribes of up to Ksh.5 million each to facilitate land grabbing operations.
The former governor’s legal troubles date back to 2019 when he was first arrested in connection with a Ksh.357 million graft case. The case involved irregular payments and accusations of money laundering, setting the stage for years of high-profile courtroom battles. In January 2025, a magistrate ruled that Sonko had a case to answer in a separate set of charges related to a Ksh.20 million revenue tender at City Hall. That case, which included 11 counts, also touched on money laundering allegations.
Sonko’s defense has remained consistent throughout these proceedings, highlighting the political undertones he believes have influenced his prosecution. “This case is a targeted attack against me because I stood against powerful interests attempting to illegally acquire public land,” Sonko stated in court. “I have faced immense pressure and threats, but I have remained committed to transparency and public accountability.”
Legal experts note that while the acquittal on the money laundering charge is a significant win for Sonko, the ongoing tender irregularity cases are far from resolved. “Being acquitted of money laundering is a positive development, but the remaining charges concerning the mismanagement of public tenders carry serious implications,” said legal analyst Wanjiru Mwangi. “The court will now examine whether there is enough evidence to warrant a conviction on these counts, which could still result in severe penalties.”
The case has also attracted significant public attention due to Sonko’s high-profile political career and his role as Nairobi Governor from 2017 to 2022. Known for his flamboyant personality and controversial decisions, Sonko has often found himself at odds with other political leaders and public institutions. Despite the legal battles, he has maintained a strong support base among certain segments of Nairobi residents who praise his social welfare initiatives and outspoken leadership style.
As the legal proceedings continue, Sonko will be required to defend himself against the remaining charges in court. The prosecution will present additional evidence to substantiate claims of irregular tender awards, while the defense is expected to challenge the credibility and legality of that evidence. The outcome of these hearings could have lasting implications for Sonko’s political career and for perceptions of accountability and governance in Nairobi County.
For now, the partial acquittal offers a measure of relief for Sonko and his supporters, underscoring the challenges in prosecuting high-profile political figures in complex corruption cases. The Nairobi court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between law, politics, and public perception in Kenya’s ongoing fight against corruption.
