Court clears Sonko in 2019 assault case

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko before a Kiambu court on Monday, March 11, 2023. [Courtesy]

A Kiambu court has acquitted former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko of assault charges stemming from a 2019 incident.

The charges were related to a raid on a property in Buruburu, Nairobi.

The Prosecutor, on Monday, March 11, informed the court of their non-opposition to the complainants' request to withdraw the case.

Senior Principal Magistrate Peter Ooko ruled the case closed, stating, "From complaint number one to number ten, the application to withdraw the matter has not been opposed. I allow the same as prayed and have discharged the accused's surety."

Sonko was initially arraigned in 2021, facing one charge of forcible entry and nine counts of assault causing bodily harm.

He was accused of forcibly entering land number LR Nairobi block 78/8, owned by Landmark International Properties, with others who are not before the court.

At the same time, he was charged with leading a group of men in assaulting nine individuals, resulting in actual bodily harm.

The prosecution claimed that Sonko, then serving as Nairobi Governor, left his office at City Hall and headed to Buruburu Phase Four with a group of youths, whose actions led to the commission of the offenses.

Sonko denied the charges and was released on a Sh300,000 bond with an equal surety.