Sonko case over ‘missing’ Ksh.1.7B dismissed

A Nairobi court has dismissed a case filed by an MCA against Governor Mike Sonko over the alleged loss of Ksh.1.7 billion through irregular procurement of health services for staff.

Justice Hedwig Ogundi ruled that the court has no jurisdiction to hear and determine the matter.

“The petitioner ought to have filed his petition within the right agencies. The petition is premature,” ruled Ogundi.

According to the judge, Peter Imwatok, who is also the Assembly Minority Leader, should have followed the right procedure as laid out in the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act.

He said that Imwatok ought to have presented his complaints to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The petitioner was also ordered to pay damages to Governor Sonko and the other respondents.

The MCA had wanted the court to declare Sonko, former county secretary Simon Morintant and former Finance CEC Veska Kagongo unfit to hold public office.

Imwatok had claimed that the Nairobi County administration authorised irregular procurement in the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 financial years.

The Makongeni MCA was seeking an order to have all funds paid to AAR Insurance Company between July 1, 2017, to September 30, 2017, and October 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017, be returned to the county.