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The death of Newton Munene, a key defense witness in a corruption case against former Governor Mike Sonko, has raised questions and prompted allegations of cartel involvement, underscoring concerns about witness safety in high-profile legal battles.
Newton Munene, a former member of the Nairobi County Information Communication Technology (ICT) Executive Committee, was found dead at his Karen home in Nairobi on Friday, October 10, 2025, under unclear circumstances. His death occurred barely a week after he testified as a defense witness in a corruption case involving former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.
Former Governor Sonko announced Munene's passing on Saturday, October 11, 2025, and sensationally claimed that cartels were responsible for his death, directly linking it to Munene's recent testimony. Sonko stated, “Mr. Munene's death occurred just a week after he provided testimony as my defense witness in a case in which I have been wrongfully accused regarding Webtribe's Jambo Pay contract. It is deeply regrettable that the cartels have retaliated by taking Munene's life.”
Newton Munene served in the Nairobi County Executive Committee during Mike Sonko's tenure as governor. Sonko, who served as the second Governor of Nairobi from August 2017 until his impeachment in December 2020, has faced multiple corruption charges. These cases include allegations of misappropriation of public funds, money laundering, and conflict of interest related to various tenders.
The specific case in which Munene testified involves a controversial contract awarded to Web Tribe Ltd, the parent company of JamboPay, for online payment systems for county services. Sonko has maintained his innocence, arguing that he was opposed to the JamboPay contract, which he claimed was inherited from the previous administration of Governor Evans Kidero.
The allegations surrounding the JamboPay contract touch upon critical aspects of public procurement laws and financial management within county governments. Transparency and accountability in awarding and managing public contracts are governed by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015, and other relevant anti-corruption legislation. Cases of alleged corruption often involve intricate legal processes, with witnesses playing a crucial role in providing evidence. The protection of witnesses in such high-stakes cases is paramount to ensuring fair trials and upholding the rule of law.
Munene was one of three key witnesses who testified in Sonko's defense at the Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi. During his testimony on Monday, October 6, 2025, Munene asserted that Sonko had opposed the JamboPay contract and had directed officials to terminate the payment system, citing concerns about manipulation and frustrated service delivery. Audio recordings allegedly featuring Sonko instructing officials to abandon the JamboPay system were also presented in court.
Sonko has further alleged that other former County Executive Committee Members who volunteered to testify in his defense are facing threats and intimidation to prevent them from appearing in court. He has condemned these actions, stating that he would not be intimidated and challenging his accusers to confront him in a court of law if they possess evidence of corruption.
The death of a witness in an ongoing corruption trial carries significant implications for the integrity of the judicial process and public confidence in the fight against corruption. It raises serious concerns about witness protection mechanisms, particularly in cases involving powerful individuals or alleged cartels. Such incidents can deter other potential witnesses from coming forward, thereby hindering efforts to combat corruption effectively. The allegations of intimidation also highlight potential threats to the independence of the judiciary and the constitutional right to a fair trial.
The exact cause of Newton Munene's death remains unconfirmed as of Saturday, October 11, 2025. Police have launched investigations into the death. Sonko's claims of cartel involvement, while sensational, underscore the need for a thorough and impartial investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding Munene's demise and address any potential foul play. The identity and motives of the alleged cartels, as well as the nature of the threats reportedly faced by other witnesses, are currently unknown.
The ongoing police investigation into Munene's death will be crucial in shedding light on the circumstances. The outcome of this investigation, along with any measures taken to ensure witness protection in Sonko's corruption trial, will be closely watched. Further developments in Sonko's corruption case, particularly concerning the testimony of other defense witnesses and the court's handling of the allegations of intimidation, will also be significant.
