Former Nairobi County Executive Committee Member for Information Communication Technology (ICT), Newton Munene, has been found dead at his home in Karen, Nairobi, under unclear circumstances.
In a statement on Saturday morning, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko announced Munene’s death. His death occurred just a week after he testified as a defense witness in Sonko’s ongoing court case.
Munene was a key defense witness who supported Sonko’s claims that he had opposed the controversial Web Tribe/JamboPay contract.
Former Nairobi County ICT CEC Newton Munene Found Dead
His testimony aligned with newly submitted audio recordings played in court, in which Sonko is heard directing officials to terminate the payment system, accusing unnamed individuals of manipulating it to frustrate service delivery.
“I have received the sad news of Mr. Newton Munene’s passing with profound shock. He was a member of my Nairobi county executive for the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector,” Sonko said.
“Munene’s death occurred just a week after he provided testimony as my defense witness in a case, in which I have been wrongfully accused regarding Webtribe’s Jambo Pay contract.”
Munene was among three key witnesses in Sonko’s corruption case.
During his testimony last week, the former CEC claimed that officials from the previous administration had falsely implicated Sonko in corruption allegations, which eventually led to his impeachment.
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Sonko Alleges Intimidation in his Corruption Case Where Munene was Key Witness
Sonko condemned the incident as cowardly and stated that he would not be intimidated or coerced.
“If my accusers possess any evidence linking me to acts of corruption, they should confront me in a court of law,” he said.
“In the meantime, I refuse to bow to threats, intimidation, and coercion while innocent individuals are murdered for exercising their constitutional right to defend me.”
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Sonko also alleged that other former County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) who had volunteered to testify in his defense were now facing threats and intimidation aimed at preventing them from appearing in court.
“I have reliable information indicating that some former CECMs who served under my leadership and who have volunteered to be my defence witnesses are being threatened and intimidated to not come to court to testify. No level of intimidation or threats will deter me from seeking justice,” he added.
The case stems from graft-related charges linked to procurement and revenue collection systems at City Hall.
Sonko faces charges alongside Anthony Otieno Ombok and ROG Security Limited over allegations involving the contentious Web Tribe JamboPay contract that was initially awarded by the defunct Nairobi City Council.
Munene’s body has since been moved to the Lee Funeral Home.
Police have cordoned off his Karen residence as they conduct forensic investigations into his death.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are expected to release a preliminary report on the cause of death after an autopsy is conducted.
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