Court declines to release Governor Sonkos passport for UAE travel

A Nairobi court on Thursday declined to release Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s passport to allow him travel to the United Arab Emirates for official duty.

Sonko on Wednesday made an application asking for the release of his passport saying he had been invited to attend the 10th session of the World Urban Forum which takes place from the February 8 – 13, 2020.

“The applicant has been invited in his capacity as the Governor of the Nairobi City County and is expected to engage in discussion with other participants on the theme of the forum,” read court papers

Convened by UN-Habitat, the Forum is a high level, open and inclusive platform for addressing the challenges of sustainable urbanization.

The court also heard that the county boss is willing to submit himself to the conditions that may be deemed appropriate by the court as pertains to the release of his travel documents.

However, the prosecution objected the application saying they require time to verify the documents attached in his application and the validity of his letter of invitation

The court was told that Sonko has paid for the trip using his cards with the prosecution adding that as a proof he was travelling for personal luxury as opposed to official duty.

“Sonko is travelling in his official capacity however the court in its ruling barred the accused from his office…he therefore cannot purport to be performing his official duties by travelling to attend the meeting,” the prosecution submitted.

In December 2019 the court granted Governor Sonko bail but required him to submit his passport to the court. The court also ruled that he should seek permission before travelling outside the country.