Sonko to appear before DCI over 2017 election violence remarks

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko (pictured) is expected to appear before DCI today to shed light on claims that Interior PS Karanja Kibicho and himself jointly participated in causing mayhem in 2017.

DCI Chief George Kinoti last week issued the summons directing Sonko to appear before the head of Serious Crime Unit Kuria Obadia at the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road at 8am to give his side of the story.

The summons was issued after Kibicho recorded his statement with the DCI last week distancing himself from the remarks made by Sonko at a rally in Dagoretti South, Nairobi.

The ex-governor alleged that him and Kibicho were part of those involved in the hooliganism witnessed in Nairobi as ODM supporters protested.

But Kibicho has since obtained orders stopping Sonko from continuing to mention his name in relation to the disruption of ODM rallies after the 2017 election.

High Court Judge Msagha Mbogholi ruled that Dr Kibicho’s reputation and good public standing will continue to be damaged if the former governor is not stopped from uttering the false statements, pending determination of the suit.

“An order of injunction is hereby issued restraining the former governor from uttering or publishing words concerning the plaintiff relating to allegations that the PS engages in criminal activities and has association with individuals involved in land grabbing and unlawful activities,” ruled Mbogholi.

Dr Kibicho, through Senior Counsel Fred Ngatia, filed the application claiming Sonko uttered the false words on January 24 with intention to injure the PS’s reputation.

 “The libelous utterances against Dr Kibicho were not an isolated case but a continuation of sustained and systematic false, malicious and reckless statements the former governor has been making concerning the PS since 2017,” said Ngatia.