Sonko releases statement over his dramatic arrest

Embattled Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko says that his arrest reeks of malice, faulting authorities for “deploying over 25 cars, helicopter and scores of police officers” to seize him.

In a statement released on Sunday, December 8, 2019, Mr Sonko said prior to his dramatic arrest on Friday, he had faithfully honoured several summons by authorities.

“In the last three months, I have been summoned by the EACC four record times, where I have faithfully honoured all the summons,” said Mr Sonko.

Mr Sonko queried why the Director of Noordin Haji and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption (EACC) chairman Twalib Mbarak did not just order him to surrender to the police instead.

“Question is, WHAT was so difficult for Mr. Noordin Haji or even Mr. Twalib Mbarak to follow the same process of summoning me to present myself at the Eacc offices for processing and charging?,” posed Mr Sonko.

The governor says he is “convinced was politically schemed and designed to humiliate and embarrass him.

“There was no point for the deployment of a police helicopter, more than 25 police cars, and 200 police officers to locate and arrest me while we all know on that on the same material day their was terror attack in Wajir County where the chopper could have offered this kind of reinforcement, deployment and operation needed,” said Mr Sonko.

The City Hall boss is set to be arraigned and charged on Monday with corruption-related offences.

On Sunday, the Council of Governors said they are consulting widely over the arrest of Mr Sonko and will reach out to President Uhuru Kenyatta to convene an emergency Summit to address the evolving situation.

Mr Sonko does not have a deputy governor and should he be charged with corruption, he will not be able to run the county pending determination and hearing of his case.

The absence of a deputy governor raises a potential power vacuum that may lead to stalling of City Hall operations.