Sonko responds to ban barring him, his family from entering US

Former Nairobi County Governor- Gideon Mbuvi Sonko has responded after the United States issued a statement barring him from stepping into the country.

In a statement that was shared on his Facebook account, Sonko said that he has never been convicted of the corruption allegations that have now led to his designation.

Sonko was barred from stepping into the US on Tuesday, March 9.

“I have learned of news barring my family and me from traveling to the USA over unverified corruption allegations against me. I have not been convicted on any corruption-related charges because the cases are still pending in court awaiting judgment,” the embattled former governor said.

According to him, there are only two governors who have been charged in court for giving tenders to their wives and kids.

Sonko said that none of his family members was ever awarded any tender by him when he was governor.

He challenged the embassy to come out publicly and tell Kenyans the truth about the matter.

“My wife and kids have never supplied even a spoon or toilet paper to city hall either directly or indirectly,” Sonko said.

Sonko went ahead to say that the American Embassy forgets that he was the one who helped them demolish a building next to it.

He said that he even went ahead and exposed the owner of the said building, who he claims tried bribing him with Ksh100 million.

He claimed that former Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero had not assisted the US Embassy to bring down the building.

Sonko also wondered why the matter was raised just a day after he announced that he will be defending his seat.

He wondered why those who were adversely mentioned in the COVID-19 and KEMSA sagas are being spared yet they are on record for committing the biggest corruption scandal in the country.

“They even have an office next to the office of the ambassador of USA to Kenya ambassador Anthony Blanken and they’re the ones that have played a role in this propaganda," he said.