Sonko records statement at CID headquarters over “acting president” remarks, accuses DPP of witch-hunt
Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko has recorded a statement with the police over controversial statements he made last Friday in Machakos, saying that he was “acting president”.
Sonko presented himself at the Directorate of Criminal Investigation headquarters on Sunday and left shortly after 8pm.
The Inspector General of Police, Joseph Boinett said that the senator’s file will now be presented to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko for action.
The DPP, had already directed Sonko to be probed for possible treason for claiming to be ‘acting president’.
Read Also: Mike Sonko faces arrest after declaring himself president
Opinion has been sharply divided as to whether Sonko should be prosecuted for claiming to “third in command” after President Uhuru Kenyatta was away in Togo while his Deputy was in France.
When Sonko says he is acting president of the Republic of Kenya and that is legally false…he commits treason…wapi IG na DPP? @DBK017
— Ahmednasir Abdullahi (@ahmednasirlaw) October 15, 2016
But if @RailaOdinga is free, the moral authority is lost on going after Sonko. Application of law cannot be selective https://t.co/UNGo1Tjgj8
— Dennis Itumbi (@OleItumbi) October 15, 2016
I am happy that you also oppose the arrest of Sonko. https://t.co/fMCsmStTxw
— Robert ALAI (@RobertAlai) October 16, 2016
However, according to the constitution, the National Assembly speaker assumes that role in the absence of the two.
Treason in Kenya
In Kenya, treason is regarded as a crime against the State and is termed as “any overt act committed by a person, within or without the state, who, owing to allegiance to the State, has the intention of unlawfully impairing, violating, threatening or endangering the existence, independence or security of the State.”
However, Sonko accused Tobiko of witch-hunt for using an ‘edited’ clip to demand investigations into his conduct.
Sonko has since defended himself, saying he acted in his capacity as the presidential representative to read to the leaders, family members and residents in attendance the President’s speech.
