Sonko, three others have case to answer in Sh14 million graft scandal
Crime and Justice
By
Nancy Gitonga
| Apr 30, 2026
The Milimani Anti-Corruption Court has ruled that former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and three co-accused persons have a case to answer in a Sh14 million corruption case linked to the alleged irregular award of a heavy equipment hire tender by the Nairobi County Government in 2018.
Trial Magistrate Isabellah Barasa delivered the ruling on Thursday, finding that the Director of Public Prosecutions had established a prima facie case on four counts against Sonko and his co-accused, Frederick Odhiambo Oyugi, trading as Yiro Enterprises, ROG Security Limited, and the firm's director, Anthony Otieno Ombok, also known as Jamal.
"I am placing the accused persons on their defence in respect to count one, count two, count four and count five," Magistrate Barasa ruled from the bench.
The four counts on which the accused must now defend themselves include conspiracy to commit an economic crime, conflict of interest contrary to Section 42.3 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act (ACECA), and two counts of acquisition of proceeds of crime.
However, the court acquitted all four accused persons on the money laundering charge, count three, under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
"I am acquitting on count three. Count three relates to money laundering contrary to Section 3A1 of the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act. So, count three is acquitted," the magistrate stated.
The ruling comes after the prosecution called 10 witnesses and filed detailed submissions against all four accused persons, with two separate sets of defence submissions filed on behalf of the former governor seeking to acquit him all charges.
According to court records, Sonko is accused of conflict of interest, specifically, of acquiring an indirect private interest in a contract connected with a public body involving the hire of heavy equipment by Nairobi County, a tender that was awarded to Yiro Enterprises.
The former governor is alleged to have received Sh8.4 million through five accounts at Equity Bank, transferred from Odhiambo via ROG Security Limited.
Prosecutors allege that on diverse dates between December 27 and 28, 2018, Sonko, Odhiambo, and Ombok jointly and knowingly conspired to commit an offence of corruption by dealing with suspected property amounting to Sh14.1 million.
Following the ruling, the court set June 4, 2026, for a physical mention in open court, where parties will take directions and agree on dates for the defence hearing.
In a separate graft case, Sonko and Ombok have since been placed on their defence in Sh20 million.