Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero threatens to sue Sonko, demands an apology

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero threatens to sue Senator Mike Sonko for allegedly linking him to murder and graft as he demands for an apology.

Kidero who had been summoned by Senate Public Accounts Committee to explain some audit queries raised by auditor general, termed the allegation by Sonko as crude, malicious and amounts to character assassination.

On Wednesday, a scuffle ensued at Senate Public Accounts Committee chaired by Kisumu Senator Prof. Anyang Nyong'o when Senator Sonko shot up and accused the governor of allegedly being a murderer and a land grabber in the city.

"Nairobi senator owes me, my family, friends and my supporters an apology. I was born here (Nairobi), many people know me. I am not a murderer and property grabber," Kidero stated in a text message.

The two leaders threatened each other in front of the senate Public Accounts Committee. The brawl led to a heated argument which resulted into a physical fight.

Kidero said he will file a suit against Sonko in Court.

"We are given money from the treasury. We avail our financial records to county assembly, auditor general, and senate for scrutiny. That is why I had honored a date with the senate to explain how the County government spends the money. I am ready any date to face the senate committee," he explained.

Sonko told chairman of the senate committee that some people had their property disposed due to failure to pay land rates. He then made sensational claims accusing Kidero of grabbing land through proxies from those who had arrears.

"Kidero is stealing land from those who cannot afford to pay land rates. He took land from one elderly woman in Kilimani and when she protested she was manhandled by his county officials and later died," Sonko said.

However, Kidero told the committee that land rates had accumulated to Sh96 billion with the government being top defaulter. He said even parliament and other government institutions have huge arrears saying he petitioned the senate to recover the funds.

Orange Democratic Movement Nairobi branch has condemned Sonko's remarks against Kidero at the senate.

In a press release, Nairobi ODM branch chairman George Aladwa termed Sonko's actions as primitive and called on him to stop his unbecoming behaviour.

"We wish to condemn in strong terms the arrogance that the senator displayed in front of the dignified senate committee. We will not allow him to have a field day insulting and punching elected leaders. This behavior will be met with the greatest contempt it deserves," the statement stated in part.