Uhuru, Ruto companies won lucrative tenders in Nairobi – Governor Mike Sonko

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Wednesday night confessed that companies associated with President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto won and were paid for lucrative tenders by the Nairobi County Government.

Sonko was appearing on a political talk show where he was asked about allegations that he had paid Sh150 million to Amaco Insurance – which Ruto has in the past admitted to own.

The Nairobi County Chief said he had approved a Sh150 million payment to Amaco but denied there was a conflict of interest.

The Governor said the money was paid for a tender that had been awarded in 2016 during the reign of his predecessor Evans Kidero.

The payment has led to an EACC investigation after its detectives noticed that some of the money paid to Amaco was paid to a businessman who deposited some of the cash to Sonko’s bank account.

He said the businessman had an existing contract with Amaco for towing and lease of car yard – but also happened to owe him some money which he was able to pay after the Ruto-owned company was paid by the county.

“I can confirm that we paid Amaco in November 2017 but the payment was for services rendered in 2016. Amaco had an agreement with other companies including one which belongs to my friend. EACC wrote to Equity Bank asking why Al Bab (which belongs to my friend) was paid Sh6 million, they did not want to say from Amaco because I think they are afraid of the DP,” he said.

Sonko was quick to defend Ruto from any allegations of wrongdoing – saying the DP was not a director at Amaco which had won a competitive tender.

He mentioned that the DP’s company was awarded the fair tender the same way his government competitively awarded Brookside a tender to supply water to ECD centres in Nairobi County.

“Whenever Sonko has a problem, people say it’s the system or the President. I have no problem with President. You have mentioned Amaco but I want to give a scenario, there is a difference between doing business and corruption. I am not trying to provoke anyone, the President is my friend and mentor.

"There is this tender for supplying of milk which many companies applied. Brookside won that tender genuinely. The company is associated with my boss, the President is very close to me and he even helps me with finances. The company won that tender because it was the only one that has the capacity…You want to tell me that the President is being corrupt because his company won a tender without his interference? Let people do genuine business,” Sonko said.

A seemingly baffled show host, Tony Gachoka, responded with the comment - Sonko wewe ni kali! (Sonko you are sharp!).