Former Nairobi Finance CEC tells court State House plotted to oust Sonko over anti-graft stance
Former Nairobi County Finance CEC Winfred Gathagu on Monday told a Nairobi court that in 2019, she was approached by senior State House officials who asked her to help fabricate a corruption case against former governor Mike Sonko to facilitate his removal from office.
Testifying before Milimani Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki, where Sonko and businessman Anthony Ombok are defending themselves in a Sh20 million graft case, Gathagu said she was also urged by fellow county executives to support Sonko’s impeachment.
Gathagu claimed that both State House officials and county colleagues made several attempts to involve her in framing the former governor.
“I became involved in the matter even though I recorded two statements with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on January 15 and 20, 2020. I was never called to testify as a prosecution witness,” she testified.
Led in her evidence by lawyers Assa Nyakundi and Elizabeth Ochieng, Gathagu said there were multiple strategy meetings held at State House aimed at building a strong case against Sonko.
Strategy meetings
“I was involved in various things in this case, which include recording statements, being a witness in the case against Sonko. There were strategy meetings held at the State House in trying to come up with a solid case against my former boss,” she said.
She maintained that Sonko’s anti-corruption stance at City Hall was the driving force behind efforts to remove him.
“That all happened because Sonko was fighting corruption at City Hall,” she said, adding, “All the plans to oust him were hatched at State House.”
However, Gathagu declined to name the senior State House officials allegedly involved, stating that most witnesses testified in camera due to safety concerns.
No statement with EACC
When cross-examined by the prosecution, Gathagu admitted she had not recorded any statement with the EACC specifically about the alleged State House plot.
Addressing another issue in the case, Gathagu confirmed that she approved payments to Webtribe—commonly known as JamboPay—during her tenure as Chief Officer of Finance.
“I want to confirm to this court that I made payments to Webtribe when I was Chief Officer of Finance. The payments were made for services rendered in collecting revenue electronically on behalf of Nairobi County,” she testified.
She said she knew the company's director and emphasised that the payments were made independently, without any external influence. Gathagu also explained that payment delays, which were flagged during investigations, were due to internal factors.
The hearing continues.
Testifying before Milimani Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki, where Sonko and businessman Anthony Ombok are defending themselves in a Sh20 million graft case, Gathagu said she was also urged by fellow county executives to support Sonko’s impeachment.
Gathagu claimed that both State House officials and county colleagues made several attempts to involve her in framing the former governor.
“I became involved in the matter even though I recorded two statements with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on January 15 and 20, 2020. I was never called to testify as a prosecution witness,” she testified.
Led in her evidence by lawyers Assa Nyakundi and Elizabeth Ochieng, Gathagu said there were multiple strategy meetings held at State House aimed at building a strong case against Sonko.
Strategy meetings
“I was involved in various things in this case, which include recording statements, being a witness in the case against Sonko. There were strategy meetings held at the State House in trying to come up with a solid case against my former boss,” she said.
She maintained that Sonko’s anti-corruption stance at City Hall was the driving force behind efforts to remove him.
“That all happened because Sonko was fighting corruption at City Hall,” she said, adding, “All the plans to oust him were hatched at State House.”
However, Gathagu declined to name the senior State House officials allegedly involved, stating that most witnesses testified in camera due to safety concerns.
No statement with EACC
When cross-examined by the prosecution, Gathagu admitted she had not recorded any statement with the EACC specifically about the alleged State House plot.
Addressing another issue in the case, Gathagu confirmed that she approved payments to Webtribe—commonly known as JamboPay—during her tenure as Chief Officer of Finance.
“I want to confirm to this court that I made payments to Webtribe when I was Chief Officer of Finance. The payments were made for services rendered in collecting revenue electronically on behalf of Nairobi County,” she testified.
She said she knew the company's director and emphasised that the payments were made independently, without any external influence. Gathagu also explained that payment delays, which were flagged during investigations, were due to internal factors.
The hearing continues.
EACC
Nairobi County
City Hall
Mike Sonko
Winfred Gathagu
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