Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has been acquitted in assault case that has been ongoing since May 2019. 

This was after the Kiambu Law Court on Monday March 11, 2024 found that there was no sufficient evidence to charge Sonko with the assault case. 

Sonko was being accused of unlawfully leading a group of men in forcibly and violently entering a property in Buruburu Phase 4. 

During the incident that occurred approximately 4 years ago, the former Nairobi governor allegedly caused actual bodily harm to 9 persons, who are complainants in the case.

Those who were injured during the incident include Evans Obaga, George Chege, Paul Kahiga, and Charles Karori.

Others are Alex Kioko, Stephen Ouma, Musyoki Kavunda, John Mungai  and  Kinja Muthui. 

Sonko’s woes started after he went to the property on May 25, 2019 after chaos erupted at a church in the said land. 

During the incident, a pastor of the church claimed that some private developer hired goons to demolish everything in the church compound.

The goons were armed with machetes, pangas and other crude weapons as Sonko intervened to stop the demolition.

Speaking to the media on that day, Sonko termed the incident an attempted land grabbing by powerful individuals who were being protected by the police.

“Where on earth can one demolish a church and grab land? We cannot allow this to happen in Nairobi. We must respect human beings regardless of their status whether rich or poor,” Sonko had said.

On the other hand, businessman Patrick Macharia Nderitu, who is at the center of the dispute, claimed he bought the land from Glad Tidings Ministry in 2018 at Ksh19.5 million.

Nderitu claimed he acquired the land through its trustees Ms Christine Apiko, Esther Mueni, Fred Agwa and Edward Otieno.

However, Mary Akinyi Ochola, who is the widow of Bishop James Ochola the proprietor of the said land, claimed she never sold the land to anyone.