Explosive Testimony Reveals Alleged Multimillion-Shilling Bribery Attempt in Nairobi County Tender Scandal

In a dramatic development at the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court, a senior police officer has testified that Danson Muchemi, director of JamboPay (operating under Webtribe Ltd), allegedly offered former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko a staggering daily bribe of between 4 million and 5 million Kenyan shillings to secure a lucrative revenue collection tender. The testimony, delivered on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, by Chief Inspector Kiptoo Kisorio, now the Sub-County Police Commander in Hulugho, Garissa County, has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s political and business circles, exposing potential deep-seated corruption in Nairobi County’s revenue collection system.

The allegations stem from a sting operation conducted on January 10, 2019, in Mtwapa, Kilifi County, following a tip-off from Sonko himself. Kisorio recounted how the former governor approached the police, reporting that Muchemi was attempting to bribe him to retain JamboPay’s contract for managing Nairobi County’s revenue collection. The court heard that Sonko, then the sitting governor, requested police assistance to record the incriminating conversation at his Kanamai residence. Acting swiftly, officers logged an official report (OB 35/10/01/2019) at Mtwapa Police Station and provided Sonko with a Sony ICD-PX 470 audio recorder (serial number 1161788) to capture the meeting.

Kisorio testified that he and his team instructed Sonko on how to use the device and positioned themselves discreetly in another room during the meeting. The 57-minute, 16-second recording, which Kisorio described as shocking, allegedly captured Muchemi offering Sonko the daily sum of 4 to 5 million shillings if he agreed to facilitate the continuation of JamboPay’s contract. Muchemi reportedly claimed that former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero had amassed 7 billion shillings from a similar revenue collection deal during his tenure, a revelation that underscored the scale of alleged profiteering.

The court session, presided over by Principal Magistrate Charles Ondieki, saw Kisorio request permission to play the audio recording as part of Sonko’s defense. However, the magistrate deferred the playback to Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., when the recording is expected to be heard in open court. This evidence is anticipated to shed further light on the extent of corruption surrounding the revenue collection tender, which has been mired in controversy.

Sonko, alongside businessman Antony Ombok, faces 11 graft-related charges, including accusations of misappropriation, lack of transparency, and abuse of office. The court ruled in February 2025 that the prosecution had established a prima facie case, placing both on their defense. Kisorio’s testimony marks him as the fourth witness in the ongoing case, led by lawyer Assa Nyakundi. The case has drawn significant attention, with whistleblower Henry Shitanda, former president of Bunge la Wananchi, previously testifying that his grassroots movement received reports from City Hall insiders about irregularities in the JamboPay contract, prompting him to alert the Director of Public Prosecutions in December 2018.

The allegations against Muchemi and JamboPay raise serious questions about the integrity of Nairobi County’s revenue collection processes. JamboPay had secured the contract to manage the county’s electronic revenue collection system, but the deal has been under scrutiny for alleged irregularities. Kisorio’s testimony suggests a systemic issue, where lucrative county contracts may have been exploited for personal gain. The case also highlights Sonko’s complex legacy, as he claims to have resisted the bribe and cooperated with law enforcement to expose the alleged corruption.

As the court prepares to hear the audio evidence, the public awaits further revelations that could reshape perceptions of governance and accountability in Nairobi County. The outcome of this case may have far-reaching implications for how revenue collection contracts are awarded and monitored, potentially prompting reforms to curb corruption in Kenya’s county governments. The hearing continues, with all eyes on the Milimani Anti-Corruption Court for what promises to be a pivotal moment in the fight against graft.