The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has moved to recover Sh623.39 million in alleged unpaid taxes from former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, naming First Community Bank as its agent to collect the money from his account.
In an agency notice dated October 12, 2026, the taxman directed the lender to hand over any funds it holds on Sonko’s behalf, or any money it owes him, towards settling the debt. The notice puts the total claim at Sh623,389,105.
Of this, Sh308.92 million is principal tax, Sh15.76 million is penalties and Sh298.72 million is accrued interest, which means interest alone now makes up nearly half of the amount sought. The arrears relate to the five years between January 2015 and December 2019.
KRA issued the notice under Section 42 of the Tax Procedures Act, 2015, which allows the authority to appoint a third party, such as a bank, to pay over money it holds for, or owes to, a taxpayer with outstanding tax. First Community Bank has also been asked to file a return showing all the money it holds on Sonko’s behalf.
The authority warned the bank that it would be held responsible for the debt if it did not cooperate.
“Please note that in case of partial payment, this notice shall remain in force until the amount specified herein is fully recovered. Section 42(13) of the Tax Procedures Act 2015 provides that, if without reasonable cause you fail to comply with this Agency Notice, you shall be personally liable for the amount specified herein,” KRA said.
This is not the first time the taxman has gone after the former governor’s bank accounts. Earlier this year, Sonko challenged agency notices that KRA had issued against several of his accounts, arguing that the tax liabilities were still in dispute and had not been finally determined.
On April 17, 2026, the Tax Appeals Tribunal, with the consent of both parties, directed KRA to lift the agency notices on the affected accounts while the appeal was pending. This followed an earlier order by Tribunal Chairperson Eunice Njeri that “an order staying the enforcement of agency notices be and is hereby issued.” Sonko had also secured relief from the tribunal in December 2025.
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