Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has turned his corruption trial into a theater of vindication, telling a court that his prosecution was a political hit-job orchestrated by cartels he tried to dismantle.

Taking the stand at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, the flamboyant politician defended himself against charges involving the alleged embezzlement of Ksh20 million during his chaotic tenure at City Hall. Dressed in his signature flashy style, Sonko told Magistrate Charles Ondieki that the accusations of conflict of interest and procurement irregularities were fabricated to punish him for blocking land grabbers. "I was the barrier between the public land and the thieves," Sonko declared.

To bolster his defense, Sonko’s legal team played video clips in court showing him intervening in various land disputes, including the attempted grabbing of a public school in Kamkunji and a water reservoir in Loresho. The footage, he argued, was proof of his "anti-graft credentials" and the reason why powerful individuals wanted him removed from office and locked behind bars.

The Legal Rollercoaster

This trial is the latest twist in a legal saga that has dragged on for years. Sonko was initially acquitted in December 2022, with the trial court ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove its case. However, that freedom was short-lived. The High Court overturned the acquittal, finding that the magistrate had erred by relying on a defective charge sheet, and ordered a retrial. Sonko is now fighting for his reputation and his political future all over again.

The prosecution alleges that Sonko used his office to award tenders to proxies and received kickbacks in return. They paint a picture of a governor who ran the city like a personal fiefdom, ignoring procurement laws and accountability. Sonko, however, maintains that not a single coin was lost and that the charges are "malicious and politically motivated."

The Court of Public Opinion

Sonko’s strategy is clear: paint himself as the victim of the "deep state." By focusing on his populist actions—stopping demolitions, paying school fees, and confronting police—he hopes to overshadow the dry, technical details of the graft charges. It is a high-stakes gamble. If convicted, he risks a hefty fine or jail time, which would legally bar him from holding public office again.

• The Defense: Sonko argues the charges are retaliatory and lack evidence of actual financial loss.
• The Prosecution: Maintains that procedural irregularities and conflict of interest are sufficient for conviction, regardless of the "Robin Hood" persona.
• The Context: The trial resumes as Nairobi politics begins to heat up ahead of 2027, with Sonko eyeing a potential comeback.

As the 21st defense witness in his own case, Sonko is arguably giving the performance of his life. Whether the magistrate will be swayed by the video evidence and the narrative of persecution remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Mike Sonko is not going down without a fight, and he intends to make it as loud and public as possible.