Mike Sonko Secures Temporary Relief as Tax Appeals Tribunal Orders KRA to Lift Account Freezes

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has won a temporary reprieve. The Tax Appeals Tribunal ordered the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to immediately lift agency notices freezing his bank accounts. The ruling comes as Sonko continues to challenge KRA’s tax assessments.

The Tribunal directed KRA to remove notices affecting Sonko’s accounts at Equity Bank and Co-operative Bank. The order will remain until the appeal is fully determined. The Tribunal said the taxes are still disputed and cannot be collected at this stage under Section 52(2) of the Tax Procedures Act.

“The taxes subject to the agency notices are disputed and not yet determined, hence not collectable pending the appeal,” the Tribunal stated. This restores Sonko’s access to his funds while the legal process continues.

Sonko’s lawyers had argued that KRA acted prematurely and unlawfully. They said the agency notices froze millions of shillings without due process. The Tribunal agreed and granted Sonko temporary relief while the substantive appeal proceeds.

The decision is a major win for Sonko, who has faced several financial and legal challenges since leaving office. It emphasizes that disputed tax claims cannot be enforced before proper adjudication. Experts say the ruling protects taxpayers’ rights to due process and fair treatment.

KRA must now comply with the Tribunal’s order. Meanwhile, the Tax Appeals Tribunal will examine the appeal’s merits and determine if the original tax assessments were justified.

The ruling allows Sonko to access funds for daily needs and legal costs. It also sends a wider message: enforcement actions must follow legal procedures when disputes remain unresolved. The case continues to attract attention due to Sonko’s high profile and the large sums involved.