Court summons key witnesses in Sonko’s Sh20m corruption trial

The Anti-Corruption Court has summoned a retired magistrate, a sitting Member of Parliament, and six senior police officers to give testimony in the Sh20 million corruption case involving former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko.

On Thursday, Milimani Chief Magistrate Charles Ondieki directed that a total of eleven witnesses appear in court this July to testify in support of Sonko’s defense.

The case stems from a contentious revenue collection tender awarded in 2019 during Sonko’s administration.

Also implicated in the case is businessman Antony Ombok Jamal, the owner of ROG Security Company, alongside the firm itself.

The summons come in the wake of a ruling delivered earlier this year, where the court found that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case—prompting the accused to respond to the charges.

"This Honourable Court hereby issues summons to the following witnesses to appear and testify in support of the 1st Accused Person (Sonko)," ruled Magistrate Charles Ondieki.

Among those summoned is Chief Inspector Kiptoo Kissorio from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), currently stationed in Holugho Sub-county, Garissa.

In total, eleven individuals have been directed to appear in court as part of Sonko’s defense lineup.

Also summoned are Police Constable Dennis Ogega Nyakina from the DCI office in Kitui, Chief Inspector Ambrose Rono Kiprotich of the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) based in Embakasi, and retired Senior Principal Magistrate Henry Nyakweba.

The list further includes Otieno Ojowi from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and former Health Cabinet Secretary and one-time Ambassador to Geneva, Cleophas Mailu.

Also summoned are West Mugirango MP and lawyer Stephen Mogaka; former Nairobi Land Registrar Edward Munoko Wafula; Chief Inspector Okemwa and Nicholas Ole Sena, both attached to the DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road; along with former Bunge la Wananchi president Henry Shitanda.

The court further directed the Officers Commanding Stations (OCS) in Garissa, Kitui, RDU Embakasi, and the DCI Headquarters to facilitate the service of the summons.

The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Mtwapa Police Station has also been directed to present an extract from the Occurrence Book (OB No. 35 dated January 10, 2019), along with statements recorded by Chief Inspector Kissorio on February 2 and in March 2019.

In addition, the Executive Officer of the Mombasa Magistrates Court has been instructed to provide the charge sheet in Anti-Corruption Case No. 10 of 2018.

The DCI’s forensic unit was likewise directed to furnish a transcript of an audio recording involving the complainant and Sonko.

These orders followed an application by Sonko requesting an adjournment to allow for the summoning of witnesses before presenting his defence.

Sonko’s defence team, led by lawyer Assa Nyakundi, requested the court to postpone the hearing to allow adequate time for preparation.

In the application, supported by an affidavit sworn by Sonko, it was noted that the intended witnesses were cooperative and willing to testify, but required formal court summons to ensure their attendance.

The affidavit stressed that summoning the witnesses is essential to ensure justice, as their testimony is vital to the proper presentation of the 1st Accused Person’s (Sonko's) defence.

The defence maintained that calling these witnesses would not disadvantage the prosecution and is crucial for a fair determination of the case.

Sonko is scheduled to begin presenting his defence daily from July 16 to 31.

In February, the court found that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had established a prima facie case against Sonko and his co-accused, Ombok, warranting a response.

The duo faces multiple charges, including abuse of office, conflict of interest, money laundering, and unlawful acquisition of public funds.

Ombok, through his company ROG Security, is accused of facilitating the transfer of Sh20 million—allegedly extorted from Webtribe Limited, the firm contracted to handle Nairobi's revenue collection in 2019.

The prosecution alleges that Sonko, in his capacity as Nairobi Governor, facilitated the payments, while Ombok was instrumental in transferring and hiding the funds across four transactions.

The evidence presented included testimony from 19 witnesses and financial records connecting the accused to the fraudulent dealings.

Magistrate Ondieki ordered Ombok and his company to prepare a defence against four charges related to receiving Sh20 million via an Equity Bank account.

The court was informed that the funds were received in four installments between January 14 and April 30, 2019, reportedly derived from the revenue collection contract.

"This money was not only obtained unlawfully but was also laundered and hidden through a deliberate scheme involving both the county administration and private contractors," stated state counsel Wesley Nyamache during a previous hearing.