Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has finally spoken out about his unceremonious exit from politics, blaming his impeachment on cartels and some government operatives.

During an interview on Obinna TV, Sonko said that his disagreements with the "deep state" originated from his inability to tolerate unlawful demolitions in slum areas without compensating affected residents.

PHOTO | COURTESY 

“I severally refused to allow illegal demolitions in slums without compensation of the victims, which angered the former Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang’i, and his PS Karanja Kibicho, nicknaming me big-headed to the government of the day,” Sonko said.

Sonko claims that when he took office in 2017, he inherited a partly digitized cash-collecting system, which allowed cartels to steal funds.

“The cashier at the cash office in City Hall used to collect millions each day manually and share it among themselves before banking the remainder. I digitized the whole system and the move angered the cartel that used to siphon funds each day,” Sonko explained.


The former governor said that his impeachment was a punitive effort coordinated by persons he had wronged by destroying their illegitimate cash sources.

Sonko asserted that his term was distinguished by substantial accomplishments, such as the construction of Dandora Stadium, fire stations, and contemporary markets.

Despite ongoing legal fights emanating from his impeachment, Sonko remains confident of being acquitted.

PHOTO | COURTESY 

Sonko was impeached in late 2020 had several unsuccessful appeals, and was eventually banned from contesting for any political office.

Sonko expressed faith in the judicial system and predicted a favorable outcome in the current cases.