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Sonko withdraws from house duties pending probe into bribery claim


Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has excused himself from parliamentary duties  pending investigations into claims of interfering with a multi-billion tender in order to derive a Sh1.38 billion bribe.

The senator was named in the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) report tabled in parliament Tuesday by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The report claimed that Senator Sonko and Energy Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir were to share Sh1.38 billion ($15 million) proceeds from interfering with a Kenya Pipeline Company tender worth Sh46.14 billion ($500 million).

60 DAYS

In a letter written to the speaker of the Senate Assembly on Wednesday, Senator Sonko requested not to be present in house sittings for 60 days to pave way for investigations.

“I also step aside as the Deputy Chief Whip and as a member of Committee of National Security and Foreign Relations, Committee on Roads and Transport and Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity during the period of probe,” read the letter in part.

President Uhuru had last week presented to the house speakers a confidential report compiled by the chief executive of the anti-corruption body that named top government officials and elected leaders suspected to be engaged in corruption.

The President directed that all officials named in the report to step aside to pave way for the anti-graft agency to investigate the corruption claims against them.

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

Earlier on Wednesday, Mr Sonko posted a statement on his social media platforms that he was stepping aside to pave way for investigations but most people deemed it as an April fool’s day prank.

In that statement he reiterated that he was innocent and that he will remain loyal to the President.

“I wish to reiterate that the allegations against me are utterly false. I will however remain loyal to HE the president and the great people of Nairobi and all Kenyans in general,” he stated.

He added that the free services he has been offering to city residents under the Sonko Rescue Team will remain in operation.