Sonko fit to attend court, KNH mental test shows

By , K24 Digital
On Mon, 22 Mar, 2021 15:55 | 2 mins read
Sonko in court
Former Governor Mike Sonko in the dock with a health officer at his side on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. PHOTO | FRANKLIN WALLAH
Former Governor Mike Sonko in the dock with a medical officers at his side on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. PHOTO | FRANKLIN WALLAH

The Anti-Corruption Court has ruled that former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko is fit to stand trial despite protests from his legal team.

On Monday, March 22, Magistrate Peter Ooko said the medical report revealed that Sonko can undertake daily duties, which include attending court sessions.

The magistrate had issued an order for sonko to undergo mental examination at Kenyatta National Hospital to ascertain whether the former City Hall boss is fit to stand trial.

After receiving the report from KNH, the magistrate ordered the case against Sonko to proceed for hearing on March 29.

'Sedative drugs'

Sonko's legal team led by Assa Nyakundi told the court that Sonko has been receiving medication that is likely to interfere with his levels of concentration during the hearing of his case.

But the magistrate said that the report showed that Sonko can still concentrate while taking his medication as prescribed by his doctor.

"Its manageable and treatable and we can proceed with the case," said Ooko

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions presented the sealed report in court as had been directed by magistrate two weeks ago.

The state prosecutor said that none of the parties in court were privy to the contents of the report.

Equipment tender

In the case, Governor Sonko was charged alongside Mr Fredrick Odhiambo alias Fred Oyugi, ROG Security Limited and Anthony Ombok alias Jamal.

The four are said to have jointly conspired to commit an offence of corruption, dealing with suspect property in the sum of over Sh14 million in respect of an equipment contract.

The governor was separately charged with having a conflict of interest by acquiring an indirect private interest in contracts issued by the county government.

A tender on hiring of heavy equipment was was issued to Yiro Enterprises and the former governor allegedly received Sh8.4 million in his five accounts at Equity Bank from Odhiambo trading as Yiro Enterprises through Rog Security Limited.

Sonko and Ombok are also accused of receiving Sh14.1 million from Odhiambo being a benefit in respect of a contract on hiring of the heavy equipment.

They are said to have committed the offences on December 27 and December 28, 2018 in Nairobi.