Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and his daughter Saumu Mbuvi
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko spent a cool Sh600,000 of taxpayers’ money to fly his favourite daughter Saumu Mbuvi to the United States while disguised as county administrator, the Senate heard on Wednesday in one of the several claims made during the Senator’s impeachment trial.
It is reported that Saumu accompanied Sonko’s wife, county First Lady Primrose Mbuvi, to the 62nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women held in New York from March 12 to 23, 2018.
County assembly Minority Leader Michael Ogada says Sonko flew his daughter in a first-class flight to the US a move that contravenes company policy.
The governor’s daughter spent Sh220,000 on a chopper flying around New York City, and another Sh260,000 in what was described as an ‘offside party’ from the first lady’s conference in Philadelphia.
An additional Sh120,000 was given to journalists while Sh300,000 was factored in as transport costs.
According to further testimonies, a county official was asked to withdraw Sh2.6 million from the county’s account, after which the money was handed over to Sonko’s bodyguard to be used for facilitation by Saumu.
But Sonko, through lead lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui, discounted all allegations and questioned the authenticity and admissibility of the evidence adduced by the MCAs.
Sonko is set to defend himself Thursday against accusations levelled against him.
