•Sonko is also facing up to more than 30 charges of money laundering, receiving bribes and conflict of interest.
•Former Kenya Pipeline Company CEO Shem Ochuodho will be in court for a case in which he is charged with conspiracy to defraud the parastatal
Image: REUTERS
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko will be back in court on Wednesday for an anti-corruption case where he was charged with conflict of interest and irregular procurement.
The charges relate to conspiracy to commit an offence of corruption namely embezzlement of public funds amounting to Sh24 million from the county government of Nairobi.
Sonko is also facing up to more than 30 charges of money laundering, receiving bribes and conflict of interest.
He was first arraigned in December 2019 during which Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji accused Sonko and his associates of the misappropriation of Sh357 from City Hall.
That arraignment followed a weekend in jail after a dramatic arrest in Voi which saw Sonko scuffle with police before being bundled in a helicopter and flown to Nairobi.
He then claimed his arrest was politically motivated and that he was a law-abiding citizen.
Also at the Milimani Anti-Corruption magistrates' court today, former Kenya Pipeline Company CEO Shem Ochuodho will be in court for a case in which he is charged with conspiracy to defraud the parastatal of Sh286 million when he was at the helm.
The former Rangwe MP was appointed Kenya Pipeline Company MD in 2003 after losing his seat during the December 2002 general elections.
Elsewhere, the High Court will today deliver a ruling as to whether seven people accused of killing former Kabete MP George Muchai can be released on bond.
The lawyer representing the Muchai family John Khaminwa on Tuesday told trial judge Justus Bwonwonga that the killers of the former lawmaker are people with influence in the country and not the seven people who were arraigned in 2015.
Muchai, his driver Stephen Wambugu and two bodyguards police constables Samwel Lekakeny and Samwel Kimathi were killed on the morning of February 7, 2015, in Nairobi.
The seven accused persons are Eric Isabwa alias chairman, Raphael Kimani alias Kim butcher, Mustapha Kimani alias Musto, Stephen Astiva alias Chokore, Jane Wanjiru alias Shiro, Margaret Njeri and Simon Wambugu.
They have been in custody since 2015 with four different judges hearing the case.
Several applications have been made to release them on bail but the state has always declined, saying "circumstances have not changed".
On Tuesday, defense counsels questioned what the state meant by 'circumstances'.
"This is the most vague reason to deny people bail. Reason being 'change of circumstances'. What are these circumstances not being particularized. Doesn't the law require certainty?" questioned the defense.
So far, 31 witnesses out of 41 listed by the prosecution have testified.
Justice Bwonwonga is expected to deliver his bond ruling today.