Nairobi, Kenya – September 30, 2025 – Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has won a major legal battle after the High Court ordered the Asset Recovery Agency (ARA) to unfreeze assets worth more than Sh574 million.
Justice Nixon Sifuna, delivering the ruling on Wednesday, dismissed ARA’s application to seize Sh574,258,398.74, noting the agency failed to prove that the money was linked to crime or money laundering.
“The Asset Recovery Agency did not demonstrate with sufficient evidence that the funds in question were proceeds of crime or that Governor Sonko was engaged in money laundering,” ruled Justice Sifuna.
The court further directed the immediate release of Sonko’s frozen bank accounts, effectively restoring access to the contested funds.
A Big Win for Sonko
The ruling marks a significant victory for the former governor, who has been embroiled in multiple court battles since his dramatic impeachment in 2020.
Sonko, who has consistently denied wrongdoing, celebrated the judgment as proof of his innocence, framing it as a turning point in his political and personal comeback.
Why the Case Matters
The ARA had moved to freeze the funds on suspicion that they were proceeds of corruption and money laundering. However, the court found no solid evidence to justify permanent forfeiture.
This ruling highlights the growing judicial scrutiny of asset recovery cases in Kenya, where several high-profile politicians and business figures have challenged state seizures.
For context, Kenya has intensified its war on graft through institutions such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
