Judge dismisses ARA case, orders release of Ksh24.7M to Sonko
By Zipporah Ngwatu, October 2, 2025A Nairobi High Court has ordered the Assets and Recovery Agency (ARA) to unfreeze over Ksh24.7 million belonging to former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko.
ARA had frozen the former county boss’s money, which was held in various bank accounts, claiming it was the proceeds of money laundering.
The unfrozen funds include Ksh16,007,218.73 and USD 67,906.43. With the October 2, 2025, exchange rate, the dollar amount converts to Ksh8,779,303.06.
This brings the total amount released to Sonko to Ksh24,786,521.79.
In his ruling on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Judge Nixon Sifuna stated that the agency did not provide sufficient evidence linking Sonko to the alleged criminal activity.
“The evidence so far on record is insufficient to support the assertion that the funds flagged by the applicant (ARA), which are the subject of these proceedings, and which are in various respondents’ (Sonko) bank accounts, are proceeds of crime,” Judge Sifuna ruled.
The judge added that there is no legal basis for the suit lodged against Sonko at the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division.
“There is therefore no legal basis for ordering forfeiture of the said funds to the Kenya Government as proceeds of crime. In consequence, this suit fails and is hereby dismissed with costs,” Justice Sifuna ruled.
The court further ordered ARA to unfreeze the accounts so that Sonko could access his money.
“Those funds, which were preserved by the interlocutory preservation orders issued on February 6, 2020, are hereby discharged,” Judge Sifuna ruled.
“It is hereby ordered that the said funds be released forthwith to the respondent (Sonko), unless otherwise lawfully held for any other lawful purpose,” Judge Sifuna added.
ARA had informed the court that they received information on suspected money laundering and proceeds of crime by the former county boss, private companies, entities, and other individuals involving public funds from the Nairobi City County Government.
However, Sonko, in his defence, told the court that the disputed bank deposits in his accounts had been there even before he ventured into elective politics. He stated that he had long operated various income-generating businesses and that it was normal for his accounts to receive substantial cash deposits.
Notably, he told the court that the funds came through his businesses and companies, which operated matatus, nightclubs, restaurants, bars, barber shops, cyber cafes, and real estate, even before 2011.
He attached documents to his affidavit showing some of these businesses and companies, some dating as far back as 2009.