Mike Sonko acquitted of money laundering charges by a Nairobi court

The court ruled that the prosecution had failed to present sufficient evidence to sustain the money laundering accusations against Sonko, leading to his acquittal on that count.

However, the former governor was not entirely cleared, as the court found that he had a case to answer on other charges related to the irregular award of tenders during his tenure at City Hall.

"I have considered the submissions that were filed for the prosecution and for the accused persons having reviewed that evidence, I'm acquitting on count three, count three related to money laundering," court ruled

"I am placing the accused person on their defence in respect to count 1,2,4 and 5."

The prosecution alleges that the tendering process was manipulated, resulting in the unlawful awarding of contracts and possible loss of public funds.

As a result, Sonko will now be required to defend himself against the remaining charges as the case proceeds to the next stage of the hearing.

The ruling represents a partial victory for the former county boss, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintained that the charges against him are politically motivated.

In January 2025, a magistrate ruled that Sonko had a case to answer in a separate, reduced case involving 11 charges related to a Ksh.20 million revenue tender at City Hall, including money laundering.

He has argued in court that his prosecution was orchestrated by powerful individuals and senior officials threatened by his stance against the illegal acquisition of public land, particularly belonging to public schools.

He told the court that during his time in public office, several well-connected individuals sought to compromise senior county officials by offering bribes of up to Ksh.5 million each to facilitate land grabbing schemes. 

Sonko's predicament started in 2019 when he was arrested in relation to a Ksh.357 million graft case involving irregular payments and money laundering.