Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko was on Friday, December 6, arrested in Voi after the DPP ordered his arrest over allegations of misappropriating over Ksh357 million together with other county officials.
Haji made the announcement in a press conference on Friday, December 6, 2019, at a press conference.
The DPP stated that his order was based on the investigations conducted by the Ethics and Ati Corruption Commission.
The county head was arrested along the Mombasa highway at a roadblock as he tried to evade arrest.
A chopper was sent from the DCI headquarters along Kiambu road to fetch the governor and deliver him to Nairobi so that charges could be filed against him.
"Following a comprehensive investigation by EACC and independently reviewing the investigation files, I have found sufficient evidence to warrant prosecution,
"I have therefore ordered immediate arrest and arraignment in court of Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko and other persons for the crimes of conflict of interest arising from having received monies from the counties of Nairobi while serving as Governor and unlawful acquisition of property, money laundering and other economic crimes, Haji stated.
The DPP further stated that the Investigations into the crimes have been challenging due to the repeated attempts by the accused to obstruct the course of the investigation
He claimed that the accused had been employing intimidation tactics in addition to using goons to threaten law enforcement officials carrying out their constitutional mandates.
Haji went on to state that the decision to arrest Sonko affirmed that his office was firmly committed to safeguarding the citizens of Kenya and combating fraud and crimes in all its forms.
"The investigation by EACC uncovered numerous instances of criminal conduct and a general disregard of the law by the governor and other being charged. Put simply, the action of the accused showed a blatant disregard of the law. The accused person placed their own interest ahead of the residents of Nairobi. This constitutes a clear and reprehensible abuse of the public trust.
"Public officials should be role models to the citizens they serve by adhering to the high standards.No one, no entity is above the law!" Haji concluded.
The governor's arrest has raised many questions on what would happen next for the county as Sonko had failed to appoint a deputy after the resignation of Polycarp Igathe.
Other arrested by EACC detectives are Peter Mbugua Kariuki (County secretary) and Patrick Mwangangi (Head Supply Chain Management).
DPP Haji also ordered the arrest of directors of various companies that he claimed had been contracted by the county government for various services and were liable for money laundering to a tune of Kh24.1 million.
They included Webtribe Ltd CEO Danson Muchemi, director Robert Muriithi and agent Zablon Onyango. ROG Security Ltd director Anthony Ombok is also implicated along with Yiro Enterprise partner Fredrick Odhiambo.
