Former Nairobi CEC Newton Munene Found Dead as Sonko Alleges Cartel Involvement

Former Nairobi County Information Communication Technology Executive Committee Member Newton Munene has been found dead at his Karen home under unclear circumstances, barely a week after testifying in former Governor Mike Sonko’s corruption trial.

The body of Munene, who served under Sonko’s administration, was moved to Lee Funeral Home on Saturday morning.

Police have launched investigations into the death, which has sent shockwaves through the capital’s political circles.

In a statement expressing shock at the development, Sonko alleged that cartels were behind the death of his former aide, linking it to Munene’s recent testimony as a defense witness in the Web Tribe JamboPay corruption case.

“Mr. Munene’s death occurred just a week after he provided testimony as my defense witness in a case in which I have been wrongfully accused regarding Webtribe’s Jambo Pay contract. It is deeply regrettable that the cartels have retaliated by taking Munene’s life,” Sonko stated.

The former governor condemned what he termed an act of cowardice, challenging his accusers to face him in court if they possess evidence linking him to corruption.

He maintained he would not bow to threats and intimidation while innocent individuals were being murdered for exercising their constitutional right to defend him.

Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko.

Sonko further revealed that other former County Executive Committee Members who served under his administration and volunteered to testify in his defense were facing threats and intimidation aimed at preventing them from appearing in court.

“I have reliable information indicating that some former CECMs who served under my leadership and who have volunteered to be my defense witnesses are being threatened and intimidated to stop coming to court to testify. No level of intimidation or threats will deter me from seeking justice,” he declared.

Munene was among three key witnesses who testified in Sonko’s defense at the Anti-Corruption Court in Nairobi.

During the October 6 hearing, the court heard audio recordings in which Sonko instructed his team to abandon the JamboPay system, declaring that Nairobi would not inherit corrupt practices from previous administrations.

“I don’t want to hear the issue of JamboPay. Let’s move to a new system. Nairobi must not inherit corruption or inefficiency from previous administrations,” Sonko was heard saying in one of the recordings presented by his defense team.

The case stems from graft-related charges linked to procurement and revenue collection systems at City Hall.

Sonko faces charges alongside Anthony Otieno Ombok and ROG Security Limited over allegations involving the contentious Web Tribe JamboPay contract that was initially awarded by the defunct Nairobi City Council.

During the hearing, former County Attorney Lydia Kwamboka testified that Web Tribe had been engaged by the previous administration to handle revenue collection through an electronic payment platform. She clarified that her office did not have the mandate to institute criminal proceedings against the company.

Former Finance CEC Allan Esabwa Igambi, who also testified in Sonko’s defense, revealed that he was once allegedly asked by a former Solicitor General to find incriminating evidence against the governor but declined to comply.

The court ruled earlier this year that the three accused have a case to answer, with the matter set to proceed to defense hearing next year.

However, in a separate development in July, the court heard another explosive audio recording from January 2019 in which JamboPay Director Danson Muchemi allegedly promised Sonko between three million and five million shillings daily as kickbacks for awarding him the revenue collection tender.

The 57-minute recording was presented by Chief Inspector Kiptoo Kisoroi, who testified that he recorded the conversation at Sonko’s Kanamai residence in Kilifi County after the former governor sought police assistance in capturing the alleged bribery attempt.

According to the recording, Muchemi told Sonko how the revenue collection system operated under his predecessor Evans Kidero while outlining plans to continue similar practices.

Police have cordoned off Munene’s Karen residence as they conduct forensic investigations into his death. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are expected to release a preliminary report on the cause of death after an autopsy is conducted.

The death has raised fresh concerns about witness protection in high-profile corruption cases, with human rights activists calling for enhanced security for individuals testifying in sensitive matters.

Newton Munene when he appeared in court to testify in Sonko’s corruption case.