Court of Appeal Rules To Keep Sonko, Waititu, Lenolkulal Out Of Office

The court of Appeal has today’s morning, 20th December 2019, maintained that Kiambu Governor Ferdinard Waititu, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal are to stay away from their respective offices.

The Court of Appeal has upheld the initial ruling made by High Court judge Mumbi Ngugi suspending public officers who faced graft charges.

The Court of Appeal in a three-judge bench sitting in the Milimani Courts ruled that elected executives were not to continue attending office when facing corruption related charges.

“What message does it send to the citizens if their leaders are charged with serious corruption offences and are in office the following day, overseeing the affairs of the institution?” High Court Judge Mumbi Ngugi had ruled on 24th July 2019.

The High Court Judge Mumbi Ngugi had ruled that governors facing corruption charges ought to step aside until their cases were concluded.

The Governors; Moses Lenolkulal (Samburu), Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu) and Mike Sonko (Nairobi), sought the Appellate court’s reprieve to gain access to their offices which was today, 20th December 2019, denied.

Kiambu Governor Waititu faces charges of conflict of interest, dealing with a suspect property and willful failure to comply with procurement law and engaging in fraudulent procurement process and money laundering.

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko faces 30 charges of money laundering, receiving bribes and conflict of interest not to forget assault charges levied against him in Voi.

Samburu Governor Moses Lonolkulal is accused that between 27th March 2013, and March 25, 2019, at Maralal town in Samburu County, the governor, his deputy, county secretary, chief officers and head of supply chain conspired to defraud the county government of 84 million shillings.

Moses Lenolkulal hence faces charges of abuse of office, conflict of interest and unlawful acquisition for public property contrary to Section 45(1) and 48 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crime Act 2003.

The ruling by the Court of Appeal to bar Governors facing corruption charges is a win not only to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji but also to Kenyans whose hard-earned taxes are misused.

Also Read: Police Officers Tortured Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko – Lawyers