Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has secured a legal reprieve after the Tax Appeals Tribunal ordered the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to unfreeze his bank accounts.
In orders issued on Friday, April 17, the Tribunal directed KRA to lift agency notices that had frozen multiple accounts held at Equity Bank Kenya Limited, granting Sonko access to his funds pending the hearing and determination of his tax appeal.
The decision, reached by consent of both parties, follows earlier interim orders issued on April 14, when the Tribunal certified the matter as urgent and temporarily barred KRA from enforcing the same agency notices.
At the time, enforcement actions, including the freezing of accounts, were halted ahead of an inter partes hearing scheduled for April 17.
Friday’s ruling now affirms that temporary relief, allowing Sonko access to his funds as the substantive tax dispute proceeds.
The development comes a day after the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) opened a probe into Equity Bank over allegations that it failed to comply with a High Court order to lift restrictions on accounts linked to the former governor.
In a letter dated April 16, the regulator confirmed it had received a formal complaint accusing the bank of defying directives issued by the High Court’s Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Division in a case involving the Asset Recovery Agency and Sonko.
CBK said it has sought clarification from the bank and will issue a comprehensive response once investigations are complete.
The developments highlight the ongoing complexity of Sonko’s legal battles, which now span tax disputes, court enforcement orders and regulatory oversight of financial institutions.
While the Tribunal’s decision offers immediate relief, the substantive case remains pending, with the final determination expected to address the legality of KRA’s enforcement actions.
