Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is facing new corruption charges after the Senate Committee accused him of financial malpractices during his three-year term at City Hall.
The Committee chaired by Homabay Senator Moses Kajwang’ has notified the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to follow up on the suspected fund embezzlement during Sonko’s reign as governor.
According to the watchdog committee, Nairobi County lost billions of shillings during the period.
To begin with, the Committee questioned the Ksh.14.4 million that Sonko used for sourcing intelligence and fighting terrorism in Nairobi.
Further, the Kajwang-led Committee also resolved that Sonko should repay a total of Ksh.4 million which he used in 2018 to pay 33 police officers for providing him with security during a tour in Mombasa.
“The Committee has resolved that EACC recovers directly from Sonko Ksh.4 million paid to the police officers. The Money should be charged on him personally for violation of the Public Officers Ethics Act,” said Kajwang.
Further, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei castigated the Inspector General of Police, questioning how his office assigned thirty-three police officers to protect one person.
Cherargei argued that some actions like that of Sonko must be followed to defend the future of the nation.
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Auditor General on Sonko
Reports of the Auditor General indicate that Nairobi County should have remitted Ksh.19.74 billion as revenue in 2018.
However, Sonko reported Ksh.10.1 billion shillings, indicating that Ksh.9.64 billion cannot be accounted for.
In 2019, the Auditor General revealed that Sonko reported Ksh.10.1 as the yearly revenue against the records which showed that it should have been Ksh.13.97 billion. This meant that Ksh.3.87 billion was allegedly lost.
Further, the Committee delved into a medical insurance contract by Sonko to county employees which cost Ksh.1.072 billion but the former governor paid Ksh.1.72 billion.
Also Read: Sonko Begs Ruto to Help Him Recover Frozen Cash
Sonko Cash Withdrawals
Sonko is also facing accusations of cash withdrawals of Ksh.209 million for unexplained reasons during his reign.
Sonko’s government withdrew Ksh.206 million from a local bank and another Ksh.3 million from Nairobi City County Trust Fund.
Additionally, Sonko’s officials withdrew another Ksh.249 million in 2019 for unknown reasons and without proper documentation.
The Committee requested EACC to investigate an official who signed the financial documents, and then one who did the withdrawals.