The Makadara MP denied claims that he was using video clips of meeting where he is said to have given a substantial amount of money in return for forgiveness.
NAIROBI, Kenya Oct 18 – Makadara lawmaker Mike Sonko is off the hook after a senior official at Parliament withdrew an assault complaint against him.
The senior Sergeant-at-Arms withdrew the accusation against the lawmaker at Parliament’s Police station on Thursday afternoon.
Addressing the media after the two recorded a withdrawal of charges declaration, Sonko said that he had also dropped counter claims of an attempt to extort money from him.
“I was coming here to resign as the MP, but it is Mzee (Harun) Okal, the Senior Sergeant-At-Arms, who urged me not to. But I have also recorded a statement about an incident where money was extorted from me.”
“I did not make the payment because I wanted the case to go away. I wanted to prove to the world that corruption in Parliament starts at the gate all the way to the toilets and that even MPs are extorted.”
The Senior Sergeant-at-Arms recorded a statement at the Parliament Police Station on October 11. He has also obtained a Medical Examination Report (P3) from the Kenya Police Surgeon.
Sonko owned up to exchanging bitter words with Attorney General Githu Muigai but he never hit the government’s chief legal advisor.
The Makadara MP denied claims that he was using video clips of meeting where he is said to have given a substantial amount of money in return for forgiveness.
Capital FM News has learnt that during the separate meetings held at a five star hotel, Sonko was made to part with Sh40,000 and then a further Sh10,000 before he received another call on Thursday asking for a further Sh400,000.
The development came a day after Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende and Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko called for speedy investigations into allegations that Sonko assaulted the senior parliamentary official.
Marende also summoned Parliament’s powerful Powers and Privileges Committee to a meeting next Thursday over the allegations.
Tobiko on the other hand said in a letter to Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere on Wednesday that he wanted a report into the probe submitted to him within seven days.
“I want the parliamentary probe to continue. I also have my own evidence which I will display when I am called to give my account,” Sonko said.
He indicated he rescinded his decision to resign as a Member of Parliament after his supporters urged him against it.
The flamboyant MP had posted a statement on his Facebook page stating that he was going to resign adding that the truth will emerge.
He said; “I am not above the law, I respect the directive from the Speaker and that of the DPP. In this case, the complainant has withdrawn and I have a statement which he (Okal) has written to that effect and I have also written a statement withdrawing my charges against him.”
“But if the Speaker says that I should be investigated then so be it. If Parliament resolves to kick me out, I will accept it because I was not elected by Parliament or by the Law Society of Kenya,” Sonko declared.
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