Court Declines to Allow Governor Sonko to Travel Abroad

Embattled Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko will not be able to travel abroad after the court declined to release his passport.

In an application filed at the Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday, Sonko indicated that he wanted to travel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for official duty. Sonko claimed he had been invited to attend the 10th session of the World Urban Forum which takes place from February 8th to 13th.

“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,” reads court papers.

Sonko added that he was willing to adhere to the conditions that may be set by the court in regard to the release of his passport but the prosecution opposed the application arguing that they needed time to verify the validity of his letter of invitation. 

The prosecution also claimed that Sonko has paid for the trip using his cards and this may be proof he was traveling for personal luxury as opposed to official duty.

In a ruling on Thursday, Chief Magistrate Douglas Ogoti noted that releasing Sonko’s passport would set a bad precedent, considering that he is the one who ordered the governor to deposit the passport in court.

“The release of the passport is tantamount to review my own orders which procedurally may lead to abuse of office which the court is not ready to do,” ruled Ogoti.

The magistrate further noted that Sonko did not attach a clearance which is a requirement for all government officials traveling out of the country. He also said that letters of recommendation that Sonko filed did not indicate whether he was traveling on official duty.

Sonko, who is facing 19 counts of graft charges, is out on Sh15 million bail and was barred from accessing his office until the case is heard and determined. He was also ordered to deposit his passport and any other travel documents in court.