Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has suffered a major setback after a KSh 357 million corruption case, in which he was previously acquitted, was revived by the courts.
Justice Nixon Sifuna ruled that the earlier acquittal, granted by Magistrate Douglas Ogoti, was based on an erroneous reliance on an amended charge sheet. The judge determined that the legal error warranted a retrial to ensure justice is served.
“The case will now be retried before a different magistrate who will deliver a fresh ruling based on the evidence presented,” Justice Sifuna directed.
Sonko, along with 16 co-accused, was initially cleared of the corruption charges after Magistrate Ogoti dismissed the case, citing insufficient evidence from the prosecution.
The decision to reopen the case has reignited scrutiny on the former governor’s alleged role in the embezzlement of public funds, with the retrial expected to shed more light on the accusations.
This latest development could significantly impact Sonko’s political career, as the legal battle resumes under a new magistrate’s watch.
