​In a significant turn of events at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has secured a major legal victory. The court has officially acquitted Sonko of money laundering charges, citing a failure by the prosecution to provide sufficient evidence to sustain the accusations.


​While the ruling provides a brief sigh of relief for the embattled former county chief, the legal battle is far from over.


​The Breakdown: A Partial Win


​Magistrate Isabella Barasa delivered the ruling on Thursday, April 30, 2026, noting that while the money laundering count could not hold, Sonko still has a "case to answer" regarding other serious allegations.


  1. ​The Acquittal: The court found that the evidence presented by the prosecution did not meet the legal threshold to prove money laundering beyond a reasonable doubt.
  2. ​The Remaining Battle: Sonko, along with co-accused Frederick Odhiambo Oyugi and Antony Otieno Ombok, has been placed on his defense for four other counts. These include:


  • ​Conspiracy to commit an economic crime.


  • ​Conflict of interest.


  • ​Two counts of acquisition of proceeds of crime.

​The Core of the Case


​The long-running graft case involves the irregular award of a 2018 Nairobi City County tender for the hire of heavy equipment. Investigations by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) alleged that Sonko acquired an indirect private interest in a contract awarded to Yiro Enterprises.


​Prosecutors claim that approximately Ksh 14.1 million in suspected proceeds of crime was moved through various accounts, including those linked to Sonko’s ROG Security Limited.


​What’s Next?


​Throughout the trial, Sonko has maintained his innocence, frequently describing the charges as "politically motivated" and a retaliation for his public stance against land grabbing and city hall cartels.


​The matter is set to be mentioned again on June 4, 2026, where directions for the defense hearing will be provided. For now, the "King of Bling" survives the laundering charges, but his defense against the remaining economic crime allegations will be the ultimate test of his political and legal future.

​The Hamasta Take


​This ruling highlights the high bar the prosecution must clear in high-profile graft cases. While Sonko celebrates a tactical win, the "case to answer" ruling on four other counts ensures that the spotlight on City Hall's past procurement dealings remains blindingly bright.

​Your turn: Is this acquittal a sign of a weak prosecution case, or just the beginning of a larger legal reckoning for the former Governor?


​Follow Hamasta Media for the latest updates on the Sonko graft trial and more breaking news