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Sonko arrested in Voi following DPP Haji’s order, to be charged in Sh357.4mn fraud case

Haji directed that Sonko (pictured) be arrested and arraigned in court where prosecutors will charge with economic crimes and conflict of interest/FILE – City Hall Press

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 6 – Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been arrested in Voi following an order by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji who Friday told a press conference the county chief and eight other City Hall officials had misappropriated public funds totaling Sh357.4 million.

The City Hall officials are accused of conflict of interest having, “facilitated and/or benefitted from the irregular procurement and payments amounting to Sh357, 390,299 million.”

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) are also seeking Nairobi County Secretary Peter Mbugua Kariuki, Head Supply Chain Management Patrick Mwangangi, two Senior Clerical Officers and four members of the Negotiation, Tender Opening and Evaluation Committee.

Also included in Haji’s arrest orders were Anthony Mwaura Ng’ang’a and Rose Njeri who are directors of Hardi Enterprises Limited and Toddy Civil Engineering Limited, entities that are said to have benefitted from funds acquired irregularly from county coffers.

 

 

The DPP also found Web Tribe Limited, ROG security Limited and their directors who were contracted by Nairobi City Council Government for the delivery of various services criminally culpable for money laundering to a tune of Sh24.1 million.

The DPP stated that investigators were frustrated and intimidated during the probe but pointed out that there were many inconsistencies.

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“Investigations into these crimes have been challenging because of the repeated attempts by the accused to obstruct the course of the investigations by deploying intimidation tactics in addition to using goons to threaten law enforcement officials carrying out their constitutional mandates,” he said.

The DPP cautioned Sonko’s supporters against causing chaos saying this will not be tolerated.

In November anti-riot police teargassed hundreds of Sonko supporters who were marching to the EACC headquarters where he was being questioned.

“Any attempts to instigate social unrest and incite the public will be countered with whole of government response. Members of the public are advised not to allow themselves to be used as human shields in the defence of these officials charged. Any person who engages in such behaviour will be dealt by whole of Government and held individually liable,” he said.

In October, EACC launched investigations into suspected procurement illegalities and irregular payment in the ongoing construction of Dandora stadium.

The probe followed recommendations by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority that reviewed the tendering process.

Sonko had sued the EACC in November following the commencement of the Dandora stadium probe singling out one of its officers Abdi Mohamud over what he termed as malicious investigations.

Through his lawyer Cecil Millers, Sonko said he was  apprehensive that if EACC and Mohamud were not temporarily barred from proceeding with the investigations against him pending determination of his petition, they were likely to abuse their offices and mandate by influencing the outcome of the investigations to his detriment.

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