Governor Sonko airlifted to Nairobi in police chopper

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, who was arrested in Voi, Taita Taveta County early Friday over graft allegations, was airlifted to Nairobi in a police chopper AugustaWestland of registration number 5Y-PEU.

Sonko was bundled into the helicopter after being seized on a police roadblock as he attempted to evade arrest, the anti-graft agency, EACC, said on Twitter Friday noon.

Taita Taveta County Police Commander, Saidi Kiprotich, was among those who boarded the police aircraft expected to land at Wilson Airport.

Sonko is accused of misappropriating at least Ksh357 million belonging to the taxpayer.

The governor, who allegedly engaged in irregular procurement, is expected to be taken to the anti-corruption court on Friday afternoon to face graft charges.

Besides the county chief, other City Hall officials expected to be arrested and charged in court include: Secretary Peter Mbugua, members of the tender committee Patrick Mwangangi, Samuel Ndung’u, Edwin Kariuki, Lawrence Mwangi, Preston Miriti among others.

DPP Noordin Haji says Sonko and the mentioned officials will face charges of conspiracy to commit economic crime, willful failure to comply with the law and conflict of interest.

Haji said the EACC commenced investigations into the alleged crimes in October 2019, and sufficient evidence has been gathered to arraign the suspects.