The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on Monday opposed the granting of bail to Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.
This is after charging the Nairobi governor with corruption and several counts of conflict of interest over irregular tendering at City Hall.
The DPP contends that tax payers lost millions of shillings to corrupt deals in which Sonko received kickbacks from several companies, including Web Tribe Ltd and ROG Security Ltd.
Web Tribe Ltd provided City Hall with a software for electronic collection of revenue.
The prosecution told Nairobi Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti that Mr Sonko is not only a flight risk but also a violent person, having allegedly threatened Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission investigators in the past.
The state counsel said Sonko attempted to escape after the DPP Noordin Haji issued an order of arrest on Friday, December 6, 2019.
But police caught up with him in Voi town after deploying scores of security officers to hunt him down.
Further, the prosecution told the court that Sonko has previously been convicted of skipping court.
In terming Sonko a flight risk, the prosecution said Sonko escaped from lawful custody when he was incarcerated at the Shimo la Tewa Prison, but was later arrested.
But Sonko’s lead lawyer, Cecil Miller, told the court to grant the governor bail because he needs urgent medical attention.
“Sonko needs to be released on bail since he needs urgent chest CT scan . He has already been given drugs for pain. There is possible rib fractures as well,” said Miller.
Further, Miller told the court to grant his client bail as there is a possibility Sonko will be rearrested and taken to Voi to face assault charges.
In reference to the Shimo la Tewa saga, Miller told the court a document from the then Commissioner-General of Prisons Wycliffe indicates that Sonko was discharged in 2001 on strength of securing bond and appeal being allowed.
In the appeal, Miller said Justice Samuel Oguk quashed the prison term.
Additional reporting by Nancy Gitonga.
