Mike Sonko released

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been released on a Ksh500,000 cash bail after being arraigned for terror-related charges.

The ex-county chief, who pleaded not guilty to financing terror activities accusation, was on Thursday, March 4 freed on bail by the Chief Magistrate at the Kahawa Law Courts, Diana Mochache.

“On or before January 1, 2021, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, you (Mike Sonko) jointly with others not before Court knowingly recruited unknown persons to commit or participate in the commission of a terrorist act in contravention of the said-Act,” reads a part of Sonko’s charge sheet.

Besides the above accusation, the former governor was charged with another terror-related offence.

The other charge states Sonko was “found in possession of property for commission of a terrorist act, contrary to Section 6 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012”.

“On January 31, 2021 in Athi River, within Machakos County, you (Mike Sonko) had in your possession military attire for the commission or facilitation of a terrorist act.”

The former governor was charged alongside two others namely Clifford Ochieng Ouko and Benjamin Onyango Odhiambo.

Ouko’s charge read: “On February 3, 2021, while in Komarock Phase 2 within Nairobi County, you were found in possession of a military combat short of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a Super Sick military combat shirt and a pair of military desert camouflage uniform for the commission of a terrorist act.”

The charge against Odhiambo stated: “On or before February 3, 2021, at an unknown place within the Republic of Kenya, had in your possession a military camouflage jacket for the commission or facilitation of a terrorist act.”

Sonko’s co-accused, who also pleaded not guilty to the charges, were freed on Ksh200,000 cash bail each.