Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been acquitted of a money laundering charge in a criminal case before a Nairobi court.
In a ruling delivered on April 30,2026, Magistrate Isabellah Barasa found that the prosecution had failed to establish on the basis of the initial evidence case to sustain the charge under the Proceeds of Crime and Anti-Money Laundering Act (POCAMLA).
The court noted that ten prosecution witnesses had testified during the trial, but their evidence was insufficient to support the count.
“I am acquitting on count three,” the magistrate ruled, effectively clearing Sonko and his co-accused of the money laundering allegation.
However, the court found that the prosecution had established sufficient grounds for the accused persons to be placed on their defence on the remaining charges relating to alleged irregular tender awards at the Nairobi County Government.
“I am placing the accused persons on their defence in respect of counts one, two, four and five,” the magistrate stated.
The prosecution alleges that the tendering process was manipulated, leading to the unlawful award of contracts and potential loss of public funds.
Sonko is jointly charged alongside Fredrick Odhiambo, Anthony Otieno, and ROG Security Limited, all of whom have denied the allegations.
In her ruling, Magistrate Barasa said she had considered submissions filed by all parties, as well as the evidence presented during the prosecution’s case.
She added that while the money laundering charge could not stand, the threshold had been met for the remaining charges to proceed to the defence stage.
The matter has been scheduled for mention on June 4, when it will be heard physically.
In earlier proceedings, Sonko told the court that he was targeted due to his anti-corruption stance during his tenure as governor, maintaining that the charges against him were politically motivated.
