In a significant development, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been cleared of terrorism charges after the prosecution withdrew the case.

The Kahawa West Law Court on June 12, 2024 approved the application, marking a major relief for Sonko, who had been facing the charges for several years.

The charges against Sonko, which dated back to 2021, were serious as the prosecution had alleged that he was involved in a plot to commit a terrorist act, which was seen as a major threat to national security.

Sonko was charged alongside two other individuals, Clifford Ochieng Ouko and Benjamin Onyango Odhiambo.

Ouko was accused of being in possession of military combat gear, including a NATO military combat shirt and desert camouflage uniform, while Odhiambo was accused of having a military camouflage jacket.

The National Police Service Act under section 101 (1) states that anyone other than a police officer who, without the written authority of the Inspector-General puts on or assumes, either in whole or in part, of the uniform shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding ten years, or to both.

“A person other than a police officer who, without the written authority of the Inspector-General—(a) puts on or assumes, either in whole or in part, the uniform, name, designation or description of a police officer, or a uniform, name or designation, resembling or intended to resemble the uniform, name or designation of a police officer”

The former Nairobi governor expressed gratitude and forgiveness towards those who accused him of terrorism saying that the charges were politically motivated.

In addition, Sonko recalled his tenure as Governor, during which he was invited to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York.

He questioned how he could have been linked to terrorism, given his high-profile international engagements.