Sonko Disowns Goons Who Attacked Nairobi CBD Traders Chairman Timothy Muriuki

Governor Mike Sonko has denied links to five goons who attacked Timothy Muriuki, a former chairman of Nairobi Central Business District Association (NCBDA) at a Nairobi hotel last week.

Muriuki was roughed up at Hotel Boulevard as he addressed a media briefing on the state of Nairobi County. Speaking to a local TV station, Sonko said he has no relationship with any of the five men, terming the links as hearsay.

“Hearsay is not admissible in court and I will not allow anyone to tarnish my good name. Mr Muriuki is my friend and have never had any differences with him,”Sonko told a local TV station on Tuesday.

The Governor condemned the incident and called on the police to arrest the suspects who were captured on camera beating Muriuki. Efforts by Muriuki to flee were futile as the rowdy gang pursued him and forced him to sit in muddy water on the road as they beat him.

On the photos of him with the goons shared on Twitter by city lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi, Sonko said the group asked him to take photos with them at the wedding of Kanu secretary general, Nick Salat's daughter.

“I accept I was with them in a wedding as shown in the photo, but that was way back before they attacked the businessmen and I cannot be associated with them just because we were in the same event,” the governor defended himself.

On Tuesday, East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) MP Simon Mbugua was arrested in connection to the incident. Also arrested were two of the five goons; Antony Otieno Ombok alias Jamal, and Benjamin Odhiambo alias Odhis.

Mbugua and the two were arraigned before Nairobi senior principal magistrate Martha Mutuko on Wednesday, where they were charged with robbery with violence.

They, however, denied the charges and were freed on a Sh200,000 cash bail each. A robbery with violence charge attracts a maximum sentence of death penalty.