Nairobi Governor Mbuvi Gideon Kioko alias Mike Sonko on Monday, November 25, 2019, revealed details about his criminal past.
Speaking in an interview on Radio Maisha, the controversial governor confirmed that he had a criminal past and has no regrets.
He further stated that while in Kamiti, he was still crafting his criminal schemes before he was warned to stop.
“Hata Nikiwa kamiti bado nilikua napanga ukora ingine lakini nikaambiwa hapana, hii kesi yako ni ya kunywa maji” – Mike Sonko
“While in Kamiti, I was still planning another criminal activity, but I was told there was no need” translates the statement.
He said that the experiences he had in the past have molded him to become the leader that he is today.
The governor confirmed his presence in both Shimo la Tewa Prison in Mombasa and the Kamiti Maximum prison between 2000 and 2011.
Sonko, however, advised those in prison not to lose hope, stating that many African leaders started their political journeys in prison.
By Babu Tendu
Source-standardmedia.co.ke
In 2019, Mike Sonko, then Governor of Nairobi, publicly acknowledged his criminal past during a court appearance.
He admitted to having been a “criminal and a fraudster” in his youth, revealing that he had served time in both Industrial Area and Kamiti Maximum Security Prisons.
Sonko emphasized that his past should not define his future, stating, “Your past should not determine your future and you should not be ashamed of your past”.
During this period, Sonko was facing multiple corruption charges related to his tenure as governor.
He was accused of embezzling public funds, including a significant case involving the misappropriation of KSh 357 million from Nairobi County.
Additionally, he faced allegations of receiving bribes and money laundering, including a KSh 14 million tender for heavy equipment and a KSh 10 million bribe from Web Tribe Limited.
Despite these serious charges, some cases against Sonko have been dismissed. In 2024, he was acquitted of assault charges related to a 2019 raid on a property in Nairobi’s Buruburu Phase Four estate.
The court ruled that the complainants had withdrawn their accusations, leading to the case being closed.
Sonko’s legal troubles culminated in his impeachment as Nairobi Governor in December 2020. In March 2022, the U.S. Department of State imposed travel bans on him and his immediate family, citing involvement in significant corruption.
In summary, while Mike Sonko has publicly acknowledged his criminal past and faced numerous legal challenges related to corruption, some of the charges against him have been dismissed or withdrawn.
