Sonko witness found dead
It’s with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of former Nairobi CEC for ICT, Newton Munene, who was found dead in his home in Karen, Nairobi, late on Friday, October 10.
The exact cause of his death hasn’t been determined yet.
Munene was a prominent figure during the administration of former governor Mike Sonko and played a significant role as a key witness in a corruption case involving Sonko, where he was testifying in the former governor’s defense.
Sonko found himself caught up in a case involving the Nairobi County government and Web Tribe Ltd, which is the parent company of JamboPay.
At the heart of this case is a contentious contract that was awarded to the company to improve the online payment systems for county services.
Reports suggest that millions may have been wasted on the system that JamboPay provided.
Munene took the stand to defend Sonko, making the case that the former governor had been against the contract that was signed during the time of his predecessor, Evans Kidero.
Upon hearing about Munene’s sudden and mysterious death, Sonko was deeply saddened.
He quickly connected the dots, suggesting that the circumstances surrounding Munene’s death were orchestrated by the cartels, who were using the ongoing case to undermine him.
“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. I want to make it clear to the public that this act is one of cowardice and must be condemned in the strongest terms possible,” Sonko said.
He expressed that he felt intimidated by actions like the murder of his defense witnesses.
Sonko went on to claim that several of his other witnesses had also been threatened to keep them from testifying in the case.
Still, he promised to stand up for his innocence in this situation.
“I refuse to bow to threats, intimidation and coarsion while innocent individuals are murdered for exercising their constitutional right to defend me. Furthermore, I have reliable information indicating that some former CECMs (ministers) who served under my leadership and who have volunteered to be my defence 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 said.
Munene’s body was taken to the Lee Funeral Home.
Sonko witness found dead
