NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 25- Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has ditched the ruling Jubilee Party and joined the Wiper party.
The former Nairobi Governor was received by the Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and a host of other officials.
Sonko had hinted that he will be vying for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.
The former governor was controversially impeached in December 2020 with his efforts to overturn the move hitting a dead end.
He was accused of among other things embezzling County funds to the tune of Sh300 million.
Sonko started his political journey in 2010 when he contested a parliamentary by-election.
He was a virtually unknown entity in politics, but he was rich and flamboyant – he splurged his money and endeared himself to the masses. He won easily.
Long before he entered politics and earned his nickname, he was imprisoned in the 1990s over a land fraud case. He managed to escape from jail by bribing his guards before he was caught and sent back to prison.
Recently, Sonko and his family members were banned from traveling to the US over corruption allegations related to abuse of office and bribery.
Counselor for Public Affairs Eric Watnik at the US Embassy in Nairobi said Sonko’s ban from the US is based on “involvement in significant corruption” during his short tenure at City Hall.
He said the State Department has declared Sonko, his wife Primrose Mbuvi, his daughters Saumu and Salma, and his underage son ineligible for entry into the US.
The designation means they have also been banned from doing any business with the US.
“His (Sonko’s) corruption has been widely reported in the local and international press. With this designation the department reaffirms the need for accountability, transparency, and respect for rule of law in Kenya’s democratic institutions, government processes, and the actions of the public officials,” said Watnik.
He continued: “The United States will continue to use all tools available to combat corruption and promote respect for human rights globally.” He issued the communication on behalf of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
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