Sonko is mentally unfit to stand trial, Court told

A Nairobi court has directed that former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko undergoes a psychiatric test to confirm whether he is mentally fit to stand trial.

This is after the court was told that the former Governor was examined by a doctor at Aga Khan hospital, who issued a report indicating that Sonko is mentally unfit to stand trial.

Magistrate Peter Ooko noted that although two medical reports have pointed out that Sonko has a bipolar condition, the issue of being mentally unfit has not been captured in the report.

The court ordered that Sonko be examined by a psychiatrist at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

The matter will be mentioned on March 12, 2021.

Earlier, the former Governor was dealt a blow after Anti-Corruption Court Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti declined an application by Sonko to recuse himself from hearing one of his fraud cases.

The magistrate ruled on Thursday morning that there is no evidence put before him to show that he is biased and that Sonko will not get justice.

“The applicant having been represented by able lawyers instead of filing an appeal opted for recusal, this is a conduct meant to threaten a judicial officer,” the court noted.

“I do find no evidence of bias and hereby dismiss the application for it has no merit.”

The matter before the magistrate is in relation to Ksh.14 million graft. The hearing of the matter will continue on March 15, 2021.